Peter Graham
Kratos Defense and Security Solutions has opened a facility at the Will Rogers Business Park in Oklahoma City to manufacture unmanned aerial and target drone systems designed for military use.
Kratos said Friday it seeks to address current and projected demand for the company’s jet-powered Tactical UAS and MQM-178 Firejet threat representation platforms through the new 100K-square-foot production facility.
Key customers for the aerial target systems include the U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy.
The company aims to hire more than 350 workers during the next five years to perform manufacturing, design and engineering work on the aerial products.
Steve Fendley, president of Kratos’ unmanned systems division, said the expansion in Oklahoma is intended to augment the firm’s current production capacity at a similar facility in California.
Fendley added the company offers unmanned jet aircraft systems that are 10 to 30 feet long with wingspans that measure up to 27 feet.
Kratos also expanded its space communications systems production facilities in Colorado Springs, Colo., and increased manufacturing capacity in Orlando for training and simulation systems.
