The decade began with Dynetics becoming 100% employee owned. In 2012, we invested further in our campus infrastructure and built our Solutions Complex, which houses offices and a significant amount of square footage attributed to high bays. Designed to be completely reconfigurable, this building allows us the flexibility to adapt to new and changing customers and needs.
Dynetics made a particularly noteworthy leap into a new sector in this decade: advanced materials. In 2012, we hired a small group of scientists from Los Alamos National Laboratory that specializes in novel methods for additive manufacturing of nanomaterials and structures. What was originally driven by the desire to expand into the sector of composites has now become a growing team of people pushing the boundaries of science.
In many of our existing technical areas, we built onto the work performed during previous decades and made significant advancements. For example, our Small Glide Munition (SGM) was designed, developed, built, and operationally tested under a highly accelerated schedule, leveraging our grid fin expertise. The SGM, which became operational in 2017, was developed by Dynetics working in close collaboration with USSOCOM PEO-Fixed Wing under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA).The SGM was recognized as a 2018 Aviation Week and Space Technology Laureate Award winner in the defense weapons category for outstanding program execution. It also received the 2018 David Packard Acquisition Excellence Award. SGM production has continued to increase as modifications are made and new variants are added, increasing its versatility. The team celebrated production of its 1,000th unit in December 2019.
In 2016, Dynetics began developing low-cost, reusable unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Gremlins program. Air-launched from existing military aircraft while out of range of adversary defenses, the UASs are recovered in mid-flight upon mission completion. Three years later, the X-61A Gremlins Air Vehicle (GAV) performed its maiden flight.
Dynetics expanded into the counter-UAS field in 2017 when awarded the first phase of the DARPA Mobile Force Protection (MFP) program. This program develops a range of technology advances to enable rapid detection, identification, tracking, and neutralization of adversary small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)—while mitigating collateral damage.
That same year, Observations Without Limits, LLC (O.W.L.) announced a new series of surveillance sensor and information systems in the GroundAware
family to detect Class 1 and Class 2 drones in low-altitude airspace. The new GA9000 series is the third offering in the family, including GA4120 and GA1360.
Our expanding campus reflected our growth in programs. In addition to purchasing and leasing multiple facilities across Huntsville to accommodate our growing workforce, we invested in state-of-the-art facilities to house our unique manufacturing capabilities. We opened the Gilbert Advanced Manufacturing Facility in early 2019, named in memory of our founder, Dr. Stephen Gilbert. This facility was a gamechanger for Dynetics, expanding our ability to design, prototype, and manufacture in one location. The surface mount technology (SMT) line is the centerpiece of the new Electronics Manufacturing lab, enabling production of 30,000 printed circuit boards assemblies (PCBAs) annually.
Another example of expanding sectors is space. After a series of big wins, including NASA’s Space Launch System Upper Stage Adapter (USA), the Core Stage Pathfinder, and Lonestar, we cut the ribbon on the Decatur Aerospace Structures Complex in October 2019. This multi-use facility serves NASA, DoD, and commercial customers, supporting the development, integration, and structural testing of large aerospace structures.
We also pushed into two areas of critical importance to the U.S. national defense strategy. In May 2019, Dynetics was awarded a $130 million contract to build and test the high energy laser tactical vehicle demonstrator (HEL-TVD), bringing the United States one step closer to providing the warfighter with a directed energy weapon. In late 2019, Dynetics Technical Solutions (DTS) was awarded two separate contracts in support of the hypersonics mission. In addition to producing Common-Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) prototypes, DTS is a key player in the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LHRW) systems integration contract, providing the warfighter with a new class of ultrafast, maneuverable, long-range missiles that can launch from ground platforms.
In 2019, Dynetics was awarded the MEGASTAR contract by the U.S. Air Force’s National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC). This program supports Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), focusing on scientific and technical intelligence products such as electronic warfare, modeling and simulation, counterspace, cyberspace and radar and signal analysis.
Our commitment to excellence showed once more when we were awarded the James S. Cogswell Outstanding Industrial Security Achievement Award in 2019—the fifth time we have received this prestigious award.
Since our founding, Dynetics has believed in serving others and enriching the communities in which we live. As the company has grown, so has our presence in our communities across the nation. In early 2019, we created Dynetics Does—our community outreach initiative to build partnerships with organizations around the country through volunteerism, charitable donations, and sponsorships. As we celebrated our 45th anniversary in 2019, we opted to give back yet again, donating $55,000 to three worthy organizations in North Alabama.
After a decade of unprecedented growth, we entered 2020 with brand-new prototyping and manufacturing capabilities, a dedicated workforce, and an ever-increasing portfolio of innovative solutions. We were eager to continue increasing our capabilities and serving our customers.