Kratos Breaks Ground on Radar and Hypersonics Facilities at WestGate@Crane

October 26, 2026

ODON, Ind. — Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, a tenant of WestGate@Crane Technology Park, is expanding its local presence with two new facilities dedicated to Navy radar sustainment and advanced hypersonic materials testing. The company celebrated the start of construction with a joint groundbreaking ceremony at WestGate Academy, announced in its October 14 release.

For WestGate@Crane, the expansion marks another milestone in the park’s growth as a center for defense technology. The projects will bring additional engineering, integration, testing and manufacturing capabilities to the region, supporting military readiness and the development of next-generation systems.

The Indiana Radar Integration Complex (IRIC) will include approximately 183,000 square feet dedicated to repairing, testing, integrating and sustaining the Navy’s AN/SPY-1 radar system. Designed to support both legacy and next-generation radar systems, the complex aims to reduce maintenance bottlenecks, improve fleet readiness and expand capacity to respond to increased demand.

The Helios Arc Jet & Laser Facility will expand testing capabilities for the heat-resistant materials that protect hypersonic vehicles. By combining arc jet and laser technologies, Helios is designed to fill a gap between smaller-scale screening tools and large government testing facilities, giving developers more opportunities to evaluate materials under demanding conditions.

According to Kratos, the projects are supported by $35 million through the federal Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program, along with company cost-sharing.

“Indiana has the mission, talent, partnerships, and industrial commitment to become an even more significant contributor to the nation’s defense,” said Dave Carter, president of Kratos Defense and Rocket Support Services.

For the Uplands Science & Technology Foundation, Kratos’ continued growth reflects the kind of investment central to its mission: developing WestGate@Crane as an innovation community where defense companies, research institutions and talent can grow. These new facilities will deepen the technical capabilities within the park and reinforce the Indiana Uplands’ role in supporting national security.

Read the full announcement from Kratos.