Kratos Defense and Security Solutions has been awarded a $46.7 million contract from the  Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. The five-year agreement is to test thermal protection systems materials, which are used on space vehicles that re-enter the atmosphere. The work will be done at its Birmingham facility, the company said.

“We are honored to support NSWCDD for this important program and are proud that we have been able to do so for decades,” said Michael Johns, senior vice president of Kratos SRE. “We bring a unique capability to this program and through the hard work of our expert team, we look forward to helping our nation as part of the larger Navy team.”

Dave Carter, president of Kratos’ Defense & Rocket Support Services Division, spoke about his division’s longstanding relationship with the Navy.

“Our division has a long and valued relationship with the Navy supporting research and rocket and ballistic missile target programs,” Carter said. “The addition of the NSWCDD RSO work by adding KSRE to our division team is exciting, and we look forward to continuing our role as a trusted provider for the Navy.”

Kratos SRE employs around 175 engineers, technicians, and program support staff who work with the Department of Defense and other agencies

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.