Kratos said the facility will include a mid-tier coupled arc jet and laser testing capability intended to address gaps in the United States’ hypersonic test infrastructure. The company selected Odon after what it described as an extensive multi-state review process focused on technical and operational requirements.
“This was a highly competitive process with several strong candidate locations,” said Michael Johns, senior vice president at Kratos. “Kratos continues to lean forward to support our critical defense infrastructure and partner with communities, like Odon, that share our passion for serving our nation.”
“We deeply appreciate the support we received from local and state leadership throughout the selection process,” Johns added. “Their commitment to fostering advanced technology development played a key role in this decision.”
According to the company, Project Helios is intended to bridge the gap between laboratory material development and operational hypersonic systems by enabling more efficient transition of advanced materials into service use. Kratos said the program would also expand the nation’s aerothermal testing capacity while providing higher-throughput and more cost-effective material evaluation.
The facility is being designed to provide aerothermal testing for materials used in hypersonic systems at what the company described as an accessible operational scale. Once completed, the Odon facility is expected to complement existing U.S. national test ranges and expand access to material testing resources for all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Defense.
Kratos said the project also reflects the company’s long-term strategy of investing in infrastructure intended to strengthen national defense capabilities and support future hypersonic technology development. The company added that the facility would contribute to the broader U.S. defense industrial base.
“We are grateful for the outstanding partnership from Indiana’s leadership and our utility collaborators, including Utilities District of Western Indiana and Hoosier Energy,” said Dave Carter, president of Kratos’ Defense and Rocket Support Services division.
“Their proactive engagement was invaluable as we determined the best home for this critical capability, which we are excited to make available to the defense community,” Carter added. “We look forward to a long and productive presence in the region.”
