Leonardo DRS, US Capital Development break ground on new engineering, manufacturing complex

BRIDGETON, Mo. – Many federal, local and company leaders attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Leonardo DRS, Inc. engineering development and light manufacturing facility on Wednesday.

The new $32 million complex will help to accommodate the company’s growing Land Systems line of business.

“Our company and Land Systems business has been growing and together with the expanding mission-critical needs of our customers, this new facility will modernize our business to ensure our customer is given the best support for years to come,” Aaron Hankins, vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Land Systems line of business, said.

In early 2019, the company announced that it would invest in a new, best-in-class engineering, research and development and laboratory space so that they can serve as the focal point for the majority of the business unit’s development and platform systems integration activities.

Leonardo is a leading integrator of a wide range of systems provided to the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps ground platforms. The company’s new facility is being developed by real estate development firm US Capital Development (USCD) and built by Brinkmann Constructors.

“This project is a great addition to US Capital Development’s run of successful build-to-suit projects across the country,” Scott Sachtleben, managing principal of USCD, said. “It illustrates how our site selection and development skills match up to our client’s needs by delivering a tailor-designed state-of-the-art facility at a tremendous location, within budget.”

Among the federal, local and company leaders in attendance for the groundbreaking ceremony of Leonardo DRS, was Congresswoman Ann Wagner.

“Leonardo DRS employees do tremendous work equipping the United States military and keeping America safe. They have a reputation for honesty, integrity and high standards, and I am grateful to represent a company and employees who are serving our troops and benefitting the national, state and local economies at the same time,” Wagner said. “This innovative engineering and research and development facility will be at the forefront of manufacturing complex Land Systems.”

Wagner said she is pleased to have the company building in Bridgeton. She also noted the company’s part in Missouri’s “sophisticated defense industry,” saying that the move represents the retention as well as the creation of jobs that will illustrate the talent of the St. Louis region’s workforce.

Completion for the new 171,500-square-foot facility is scheduled to be completed by early 2020. Scott Haley, managing director of development for USCD said the finished product will give the employees at DRS the modern facility they need while also allow them space for future growth.

“The St. Louis area has been our long-time home,” Hankins said. “We are proud to be part of the Bridgeton Community.”

Check out a clip from the groundbreaking ceremony here.

FEATURED IMAGE/Left to Right: Robert Brinkmann, CEO, Brinkmann Constructors, Scott Haley, Managing Director of Development for US Capital Development, Bridgeton Mayor, Terry Briggs, U.S. Representative Ann Wagner, and Aaron Hankins, Vice President and General Manger, Leonardo DRS Land Systems business unit/LEONARDO DRS, INC

Close