BAE Systems has inaugurated an innovation facility in Maple Grove, Minnesota, to support US and allied defense initiatives.
The 247,000-square-foot (22,947-square-meter) site houses a range of specialized labs, including an engineering lab covering disciplines such as digital engineering, modeling and simulation, product development, and systems integration.
It will also incorporate a product design space for collaborative projects between in-house experts, customers, and suppliers, as well as a full-service prototyping lab with bays for testing and developing future systems.
Alongside new technology development, the center will contribute to ongoing military efforts involving naval guns, launch systems, modern warheads, submarine components, and tactical vehicles.
Construction of the Maple Grove hub began in April 2024 in partnership with Minnetonka-based Opus Group and was completed in August 2025.
Extending Legacy
BAE’s Minnesota roots trace back to the 1940s, when its Fridley plant produced naval guns for the US Navy during the Second World War.
The company said the launch of the Maple Grove hub continues that legacy nearly eight decades later while tapping into Minnesota’s skilled workforce.
“Our new facility in Minneapolis demonstrates BAE Systems’ commitment to strengthening our engineering workforce and developing products that protect men and women in uniform,” BAE Systems Engineering Senior Director Jamie Hoyt stated.
“This state-of-the-art engineering facility will serve as a center for collaboration and innovation and empowers our workforce to develop products that protect our servicemembers and contribute to our national defense.”
