Draper breaks ground on new research and development facility at Hill AFB

Utah Governor Spencer Cox and U.S. Congressman Blake Moore (UT-01) attended the event, which was hosted by Draper President and CEO Jerry Wohletz. Also present were Draper Vice President Julia Laurenzano MacDonough and Colonel Joseph Hank of the U.S. Air Force Sentinel Flight Systems.

“We recognise the importance of the work being done by the Air Force and Missile Defense Agency,” said Wohletz. “The new building will enable Draper to better support this work with expanded research and development capabilities and mission-enabling solutions.”

Wohletz added that the facility would foster stronger connections with the region’s defence, technology, and innovation communities. “We feel strongly that this will contribute to Draper’s ability to innovate and grow to meet the needs of our customers,” he said.

The facility will support Draper’s core engineering capabilities, including model-based systems engineering, advanced guidance component testing, and high-assurance microelectronic system design. These developments are in line with Draper’s longstanding support to the U.S. Air Force since 1957, including contributions to the Minuteman and Sentinel programmes.

“Growing our presence in Utah underscores Draper’s commitment to the operational readiness and modernisation requirements of our nation’s strategic deterrence programmes,” said MacDonough. “Utah’s talented and diverse workforce will be a valuable contributor as Draper grows its presence here.”

Draper’s partnerships with the University of Utah and Utah State University were also highlighted at the event. These institutions recently joined the Draper Scholars Program, which supports graduate research and access to advanced facilities and mentorship.

“Education has been at the core of Draper’s mission since its creation as the MIT Instrumentation Lab in 1933,” said Wohletz. “That tradition lives on today and we are proud to have Utah’s universities join us in supporting the next generation of innovators.”

The building will cover more than 30,000 square feet and accommodate over 100 employees upon completion, which is scheduled for Autumn 2026. Located on Wardleigh Road, the site is part of the Falcon Hill Business Park, a public-private development initiative supporting national defence priorities.

Draper will be the sole tenant of the facility, which is being designed as an Engineering, Innovation and Development Centre of Excellence. The Falcon Hill Business Park is developed under an Enhanced Use Lease Agreement involving the State of Utah, Hill AFB, and Woodbury Corporation.