KBR’s $15.8M prototyping integration facility brings several units under one roof
During times of emergency, every second counts.
A delay or mixup in communications among responding agencies can literally be the difference between life and death.
To help reduce and even cut those chances, KBR has developed technology to support National Guard aviation units during disaster response, medical evacuation, firefighting and search-and-rescue operations nationwide.
The Aviation Information Systems Demonstration Kit improves coordination among aircrews, first responders and emergency management agencies during these critical missions.
KBR held a ribbon-cutting Monday for the $15.8 million expansion of its Huntsville facility in Redstone Gateway. The investment will help deliver mission-critical capabilities to the military faster while creating and sustaining high-skilled jobs in the Huntsville area.
The project also reinforces Huntsville’s position as a leader in defense and aerospace technology.
“This facility is about speed, collaboration and getting new capabilities into the hands of customers faster,” said Jay Lennon, president, Defense & Intelligence, KBR. “We’re bringing engineering, integration, testing and deployment together under one roof, creating an environment where teams can move quickly from ideas to real-world solutions.
“We’re proud to continue investing in Huntsville, bringing new opportunities for a highly skilled workforce and strengthening partnerships that help drive the region forward.”
The ADK is a portable communications system designed, developed and tested in Huntsville. It helps modernize older military aircraft with improved communications and better visibility into surrounding conditions, allowing aircrews to make more informed decisions. The National Guard cited this type of modernization as a top aviation priority.
Military aircrews need access to real-time information when flying alongside civilian aircraft and supporting emergency response operations. And ADK helps meet that need by bringing critical flight information, communications and other data into a single cockpit view.
“The Aviation Information Systems Demonstration Kit is a great example of how rapid prototyping right here in Huntsville can deliver meaningful results for warfighters,” Lennon said. “It was designed and developed by our Huntsville team to help military aircrews and first responders share critical information, understand the environment around them and make better, faster decisions.
“It’s a reflection of the innovation, technical expertise and mission focus that continue to make Huntsville an important contributor to national security.”
With ADK, military aircraft can more easily share information across military and civilian networks. This helps bridge communication gaps between military aircrews and emergency responders during disaster relief efforts, public safety operations and homeland security missions.
ADK supports more than 100 Huntsville-area jobs and is expected to increase hiring in engineering, manufacturing, logistics and sustainment positions, KBR officials said.
The facility at 6200 Redstone Gateway spans from 150,000 to 217,500 square feet of office and R&D space, housing approximately 1,000 employees.
With suppliers such as Tyonek Services Group, Tyonek Manufacturing Services, Dixie Metal, Buntley Services and Kenney Electrical, ADK demonstrates how federal modernization investments translate into opportunities for suppliers and manufacturers.
