Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. announced on October 23, 2025 that it has been awarded a $68.3 million contract from the Department of War’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program to design and construct a state‑of‑the‑art hypersonic materials testing facility, internally known as Project Helios.
The new facility will combine a 20‑25 MW arc‑jet system with a 200 kW fiber‑laser system, providing a mid‑tier testing capability that bridges the gap between low‑fidelity academic screens and the large‑scale government arc‑jet sites. Located at a secure Kratos site, the center will evaluate thermal protection systems for hypersonic vehicles, supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of War.
This contract addresses a critical bottleneck in the U.S. defense industrial base by offering a cost‑effective, readily available testing option for hypersonic materials. The capability is expected to accelerate development timelines for hypersonic programs and generate multi‑year revenue for Kratos, reinforcing its strategy of internally funded, rapid‑deployment solutions.
Executive comments from Kratos President and CEO Eric DeMarco highlighted that Project Helios exemplifies the company’s approach to “make the internal investment and rapidly bring a mission‑critical capability to the warfighter,” underscoring the strategic importance of the award for Kratos’ long‑term growth.
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