The new building provides space for more than 1,200 engineers and includes 17 secure laboratories. It expands the company’s capacity for advanced aerospace research, engineering and program work.
Northrop Grumman marked the expansion during an employee event inside the facility’s high-bay area. Federal, state and local officials attended with company executives and workers.
“We’re continuing to grow in Florida, turning years of investment and experience into real capabilities our warfighters need. This facility reinforces Melbourne as the epicenter of sixth-generation aircraft,” said Tom Jones, corporate vice president and president, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems.
“Most times, we host ribbon-cuttings when we open the doors to a new facility. In our world, we also celebrate by closing them, because our people are about to get to work on things in this facility that we can’t talk about,” Jones said.
“Between these walls in just a few months, we will have cutting-edge labs, and hundreds of skilled engineers coming together in a world-class facility. This is what momentum looks like.”
The Melbourne campus employs about 5,000 people and covers 2 million square feet. Northrop Grumman did not identify the aircraft programs that will use the new laboratories.
The event included remarks from U.S. Representative Mike Haridopolos, Florida Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly and Florida State Senator Debbie Mayfield. The expansion increases Melbourne’s role within the U.S. aerospace and defense industrial base.
Northrop Grumman employs nearly 8,000 people across Florida and works with more than 500 suppliers in the state. A study cited by the company estimated its annual economic output in Florida at more than $10 billion.
The company said the new facility would support long-term investment in engineering talent, secure infrastructure and advanced aircraft development. It also strengthens Florida’s position in Northrop Grumman’s next-generation airpower portfolio.
