Dayton T. Brown Inc. has opened a new 104,000-square-foot test and qualification center in north Madison County, expanding testing capacity for aerospace, defense and propulsion programs in the Huntsville region.

The New York-based company celebrated the opening of its Huntsville Test & Qualification Center on Pulaski Pike in Toney with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday.

“We didn’t come here simply to put a DTB sign on another building. We came because Huntsville is at the center of some of our nation’s most important aerospace and defense work,” DTB President Jim Kelly said. “Our customers are here, their engineers are here, and their programs are here. We believe DTB should be here with them.”

The facility will initially focus on large-scale rocket motor testing for L3Harris in support of Golden Dome requirements, according to the company. DTB plans to eventually add environmental and electromagnetic interference testing capabilities at the site.

The location also puts the company closer to Redstone Arsenal and Huntsville’s large concentration of aerospace, defense and missile industry customers.

DTB said the expansion comes as increasing production across the defense industry creates a corresponding need for testing and qualification capacity. Those services are used throughout development and production to ensure hardware meets performance and reliability requirements.

“This opening marks the beginning of a broader growth strategy for DTB in North Alabama,” Kelly said. “Our ambition in Huntsville goes well beyond Testing & Engineering. We plan to build a substantial testing presence here while expanding DTB’s broader portfolio of capabilities and services, giving customers greater access to the solutions and support they need to move their programs forward and meet the evolving needs of the aerospace and defense industries.”

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said the company’s testing expertise complements the region’s existing aerospace and defense sector.

“We are pleased to welcome Dayton T. Brown, Inc. to Huntsville and celebrate the opening of its new Test & Qualification Center,” Battle said. “Huntsville has built a strong reputation for engineering excellence, innovation, and advanced technology. DTB’s expertise is a natural fit for our growing aerospace and defense industry, and we look forward to the company’s continued success in our community.”

Madison County Commission Chairman Rex Vaughn also pointed to the new facility’s potential to support other companies operating in the region.

“I congratulate Dayton T. Brown, Inc. on their location in Huntsville,” Vaughn said. “Their testing and engineering capabilities will be a great support for our local existing companies as they work to bring their products to market. We look forward to supporting their team as they grow.”

The Toney center expands DTB’s national footprint, which also includes facilities in New York, Maryland and Florida.

Founded 75 years ago and headquartered in Bohemia, New York, Dayton T. Brown provides independent testing and engineering, logistics, technical publications and military mission systems services for aerospace, defense, military and commercial customers.

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