Kratos Expands Birmingham Operations to Strengthen U.S. Defence Industrial Base

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has expanded its manufacturing and integration footprint in Birmingham, Alabama, by adding a new 40,000-square-foot facility. This addition increases the company’s Oxmoor Valley campus to approximately 150,000 square feet of offices and electro-mechanical systems integration space, reinforcing Kratos’ position as a growing contributor to the U.S. defense industrial base.

Strategic Growth Aligned with Demand for Advanced Systems
The expanded facility is designed to support continued growth across several of Kratos’ core product lines. These include the HORUS high-altitude intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) imaging system, the CRADLE mobile bistatic radar and communications platform, and the UltraSpec nondestructive inspection technology for advanced composite materials. By dedicating space specifically for these technologies, Kratos positions itself to accelerate integration work and production activity in sectors that are critical to modern defense needs such as ISR capability, secure communications, and materials testing for aerospace and defense platforms.

Commitment to Workforce and Regional Advanced Manufacturing
The Birmingham expansion reflects sustained growth since Kratos’ acquisition of the local business formerly known as Southern Research Engineering in May 2022. During that period, the company has doubled its workforce in the region and expanded its infrastructure across 52 acres in Oxmoor Valley. This focus on regional development supports not only Kratos’ internal capacity but also broader U.S. defense readiness by strengthening the skilled labor pool and advanced manufacturing base in Alabama.

Differentiation Through Infrastructure Investment and Mission Focus
Kratos differentiates itself from competitors by strategically investing internal capital in infrastructure that supports rapid design, development, and fielding of defense hardware and systems. Rather than relying solely on incremental upgrades or outsourced capacity, the company’s approach emphasizes purpose-built facilities that directly enhance its ability to meet mission critical requirements. This infrastructure growth complements other expansions across Kratos’ portfolio, such as new advanced manufacturing sites and specialized test facilities, reinforcing its role as a comprehensive provider of defense technologies.

Implications for Defense Supply Chain and Industrial Base
The addition of the Birmingham facility underscores a broader trend within the defense industrial base toward increasing domestic production capacity for specialized systems. By expanding physical and operational capabilities in key locations, Kratos contributes to a more resilient and responsive industrial ecosystem capable of supporting evolving defense priorities in ISR, radar communications, and materials inspection. This capacity could influence future program awards and contract performance in these high-demand areas, both for government and prime contractors.

In summary, Kratos’ Birmingham expansion is a strategic move that enhances its integration and production capabilities for advanced defense technologies, supports workforce growth in a key region, and reinforces its competitive stance through targeted infrastructure investments that align with U.S. defense readiness objectives.

www.kratosdefense.com