To support the U.S. Air Force’s Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program Northrop Grumman opened a new operations complex in Huntsville, Alabama. The project is expected to create 500 jobs.

Located in Cummings Research Park, the newly renovated facility will support development of the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile system.

“We are excited to grow our GBSD team in Alabama and leverage the dynamic aerospace talent in the ‘Rocket City’ to support this critical strategic deterrent capability for our country and allies,” said Greg Manuel, vice president and general manager, strategic deterrent systems at Northrop Grumman. “Huntsville’s rich expertise and legacy in command and control systems will help our nationwide team deliver a safe, secure and effective capability to the U.S. Air Force on time and on cost.”

The company now has more than 2,000 employees in Alabama supporting numerous Department of Defense and NASA missions.

“I’m thrilled that Northrop Grumman will be building on its already large presence in Huntsville while also advancing a strategic national defense priority,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “By selecting Alabama’s ‘Rocket City,’ Northrop Grumman has picked the ideal location to carry out this important national security mission, and the company’s growth plans represent welcome news for Huntsville and for all of the state.”

The Air Force’s GDSB program seeks to modernize the land-based leg of the nation’s strategic nuclear triad. Northrop Grumman was awarded the prime contract for GBSD in September 2020 and is leading a nationwide team to develop the system and deliver an initial operational capability by 2029.

“Huntsville is deeply rooted and invested in the security of our nation, and for decades has been at the forefront of safeguarding U.S. interests around the world,” said Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.

In addition to GBSD, key Northrop Grumman programs in Huntsville include the Missile Defense Agency’s Ground-based Midcourse Defense and the Next Generation Interceptor programs, the Army’s Integrated Battle Command and Control System, as well as hardware integration and test support for NASA missions.