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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Expands Birmingham, Alabama, Operations Center

07/21/2022
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions plans to expand its newly established operations complex in Birmingham, Alabama. The $8.6 million project is expected to crate 76 jobs over the next five years.

Kratos acquired the engineering division of Birmingham-based Southern Research in an $80 million asset transaction in May. The acquisition establishes Kratos SRE, an advanced concept group within Kratos’ Defense & Rocket Support Services Division. The Kratos SRE Birmingham growth plan is part of the company’s overall strategy to expand leading-edge technology capabilities in areas specifically related to hypersonics, according to state officials.

“We appreciate the support that Kratos has received from the State of Alabama and the Birmingham local government,” said Dave Carter, president of KDRSS. “Training grants and other key incentives allow us to accelerate our capabilities expansion and enhance the already impressive workforce at Kratos SRE. The Birmingham advanced concepts business unit is a key enabler to expanding Kratos’ leadership in hypersonics and other technology areas.”

Kratos plans to continue enhancing SRE’s industry-leading expertise in the testing and evaluation of how advanced materials behave in extreme environments to ensure the nation’s industrial base is prepared to address the unique challenges associated with space, hypersonics, missiles, propulsion systems and more. SRE currently employs about 140 engineers, technicians and program support professionals conducting work in support of the space community, the Department of Defense and other national security customers.

“Over many decades, the talented workforce in the Southern Research Engineering Division has made many important contributions to the nation’s space program and critical national defense programs,” said Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “I look forward to seeing the Birmingham Kratos SRE business unit continue their record of amazing accomplishments as Kratos makes investments in advanced concepts and expands their technical capabilities.”

Kratos SRE also specializes in intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) sensor development, electromechanical systems design, aerospace engineering and other technical disciplines.

“Our team enjoyed working with Southern Research and the project team to help Kratos establish and scale their operations here,” added Emily Jerkins Hall, president and COO of the Birmingham Business Alliance. “Their investment in our community will continue to make the Greater Birmingham Region an attractive destination for top engineering talent from around the globe.”

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