Fuse Energy Technologies is building a new radiation testing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, expanding US capacity to test defense, space, and semiconductor systems in extreme environments.
The company said it will invest tens of millions of dollars in the site, which will offer “radiation-as-a-service” for government and commercial users developing electronics and platforms designed to operate in high-radiation conditions.
The facility is expected to begin operations by summer 2026.
Located near Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory, the site will support testing for satellites, advanced chips, and defense systems. Fuse has also entered cooperative research agreements with both labs, positioning the facility within a broader national security research hub.
By building in New Mexico, the company aims to ease testing bottlenecks that can delay deployment timelines.
“The demand for radiation effects testing is growing rapidly as governments and companies deploy increasingly sophisticated defense platforms, satellites, advancement in chips and semiconductors, and critical infrastructure technologies,” Fuse CEO and founder JC Btaiche said.
The project is also expected to create dozens of engineering and technical jobs, reinforcing the state’s growing role in advanced energy and defense-related research.
Defense Firms Expand Footprint in New Mexico
Fuse’s move adds to a steady buildup of defense manufacturing and research capacity in New Mexico over the past few years.
In March, AeroVironment announced a more than $30-million expansion of its Albuquerque operations to scale production of defense and space systems, including counter-drone and laser technologies. The investment is expected to boost manufacturing capacity and workforce growth in the region.
In January, defense startup Castelion selected New Mexico for a large hypersonic manufacturing campus under “Project Ranger,” aimed at producing solid rocket motors and supporting next-generation strike systems, with plans announced in 2026.
Earlier, in August 2022, BlueHalo opened a research, development, and manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, part of a broader expansion focused on directed energy, space systems, and counter-drone technologies.
