Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is a San Diego, California-based defense contractor. In early 2022 it purchased the engineering divisions of Southern Research and established a Kratos SRE subdivision in Birmingham as part of its larger Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services (KDRSS) Division.

The SRE subdivision specializes in testing advanced materials for use in extreme environments such as on space missions and with hypersonic propulsion. It also develops sensors and electromechanical equipment and conducts design work in aerospace and other fields. The subdivision is housed in Southern Research's 120,000 square-foot former Engineering Research Center on a 53-acre site at 757 Tom Martin Drive, between Lakeshore Parkway and Wenonah-Oxmoor Road in Birmingham's Oxmoor neighborhood.

In July 2022, Kratos announced that it planned to expand its Birmingham operations with 76 additional employees, and expected public support in the form of training programs and other incentives from the state of Alabama and City of Birmingham.

References

• Thornton, William (March 9, 2022) "Southern Research sells engineering division for $80 million." The Birmingham News
• Thornton, William (July 19, 2022) "Birmingham defense contractor Kratos adding 76 jobs in $8.6 million expansion." The Birmingham News
• Parker, Illyshia (October 19, 2022) "City approves incentives for Kratos to create new jobs." Birmingham Business Journal