Kratos Awarded Single Award $68.3 Million Contract to Build Next-Generation Hypersonic Materials Testing Center

Core Insights - Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has been awarded a $68.3 million contract to design and build a state-of-the-art mid-tier arc jet and coupled fiber laser facility for hypersonic materials evaluation, known as Project Helios [1][2][3] - The new facility aims to address critical gaps in the U.S. Defense Industrial Base by providing essential testing infrastructure for thermal protection systems used in hypersonic vehicles, enhancing national testing capabilities [2][3] - The facility will combine a 20-25 MW arc jet capability with a 200 kW fiber laser system, significantly increasing opportunities for material evaluation in support of hypersonic and strategic national defense efforts [2][3] Company Overview - Kratos is focused on affordability, innovation, and readiness in the national defense community, aiming to provide cost-effective and readily available testing options [3][5] - The company has a history of over 80 years in evaluating high-temperature materials and is collaborating with experienced facility design teams to make this new capability available to the defense sector [3][5] - Kratos emphasizes its commitment to addressing high-priority defense requirements and providing long-term value through comprehensive testing infrastructure [5][6]