Join us for June’s First Tuesday event at WestGate Academy featuring Andrew Blazek, Chief Engineer at Kratos, as he provides an in-depth look at Kratos’ role in the national defense landscape and the development of the MACH-TB 2.0 Program right here in Indiana.
Attendees will gain insight into who Kratos is and the wide scope of their defense operations. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is a technology-driven company that operates across six specialized divisions:
- Unmanned Systems
- Space, Training, and Cybersecurity
- Microwave Electronics
- Turbine Technologies
- C5ISR Systems
- Defense & Rocket Support Services (The Indiana Division):
- SRE – based in Birmingham, AL, serving as the parent business unit for the Indiana offices
- SMDS – located in Glen Burnie, MD, responsible for launch and integration services for rocket systems
- DRSS – based in Huntsville, AL, focused on aero sciences and emerging technologies
Speaker Bio:
Andrew Blazek graduated from West Virginia University in 2010 with a dual major in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. While still in school, he began interning at Kratos SMDS in Glen Burnie, MD, and joined full-time after graduation as a Flight Performance Engineer. Over his 16-year tenure, he advanced to Director of the Flight Performance group and later served as Deputy Technical Director.
Andrew has played a key role in over 70 guided and unguided rocket launches supporting missile defense, space science, and hypersonic research. He served as lead engineer on major projects including the Erinyes hypersonic flyer and the Zeus rocket motors.
Following Kratos’ selection for the MACH-TB 2.0 Program in December 2025, Andrew transitioned to the Kratos-SRE division and relocated to Indiana. He now leads efforts in developing the Indiana Payload Integration Facility (IPIF), where Kratos will assemble and test launch vehicle payloads in support of MACH-TB.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a leading engineer on the front lines of hypersonics, defense technology, and Kratos’ growing footprint in Indiana.
Join us for an hour of snacks, drinks and networking immediately following the presentation.
Come early and enjoy our coworking space for free before the event.
If you have any questions, please email Samantha Nelson, Program Manager, Purdue @ WestGate, at sjnelson@prf.org.
