Category Archives: Press Releases

Governor Mary Fallin Helps Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Cut Ribbon on its New 100,000-Square-Foot Unmanned Aircraft Production Facility in Oklahoma City

Governor Mary Fallin welcomes Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the company’s new 100,000-square-foot unmanned aircraft production facility in the Will Rogers Business Park in Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today joined state and community leaders and executives from Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., at a ribbon cutting for the company’s new 100,000-square-foot unmanned aircraft production facility in the Will Rogers Business Park.

Kratos is a leading provider of high performance, jet powered unmanned aerial drone systems (UAS) for tactical and target threat representation purposes.

“We are excited to have Kratos start operations here in Oklahoma City,” said Fallin. “The company is an excellent addition to our state’s prominent aerospace industry, and will help this industry continue to advance. During my time as governor, we have worked to bring quality companies like Kratos to Oklahoma, adding new job opportunities for Oklahomans and continuing to diversify our economy. I would like to thank Kratos for choosing Oklahoma and bringing exciting job opportunities to Oklahomans.”

Kratos is opening the new facility to accommodate existing and expected increased demand for its newest line of high performance, jet powered unmanned aerial tactical and target drone systems.  Kratos has selected Oklahoma City to be the production facility home for its Tactical UAS and Firejet (MQM-178) unmanned aerial target system, and  plans to hire at least 350 employees in Oklahoma over the next five years to fill the high-skilled engineering, design, and manufacturing functions that will be needed to support the production contracts for these aircraft.

Kratos is the recognized industry leader in high-performance, low-cost jet aerial target systems that support the U.S. military and foreign ally military customers/users, with its primary customers including the United States Air Force, Navy, and Army.  In addition, Kratos is currently under contract on multiple high performance jet-powered tactical unmanned aerial drone systems.  Kratos is an industry leader in the rapid development, demonstration, and fielding of technology leading systems and products for National Security at an affordable cost.

“Kratos chose Oklahoma, with strong encouragement from its Congressional Delegation,” said Eric DeMarco, president and chief executive officer of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions. “The people of Oklahoma represent a highly patriotic, educated, and motivated workforce with the technical skills that will contribute to building the affordable but technology leading weapon systems needed for tomorrow’s world. We could not be happier to be joining this cost-effective business environment and family-friendly community.”

“Kratos—welcome to Oklahoma,” said U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe. “As a community with a highly skilled workforce and a visceral commitment to the men and women in uniform, I am confident that you could not have chosen a better location to expand as you continue to be a pioneer in drone technology for our military. I look forward to seeing how this facility will benefit our economy and our armed forces now and in the future.”

“Kratos is a company that’s always innovating and producing cutting-edge technology for our military,” said U.S. Rep. Steve Russell. “Their vision and expertise in unmanned aerial systems will allow our warriors to have the most effective tools they need to keep our country safe. I am glad Kratos recognizes the value of Oklahoma and the Fifth District. We are fortunate and honored to be the site of their latest expansion, which will undoubtedly have a significant and positive impact on helping our military protect our national security.”

Steve Fendley, president of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, said: “We have been fortunate to be on a substantial growth trajectory with respect to our legacy unmanned aerial targets business and also now in our Tactical/Strike UAS business.  This Oklahoma expansion accommodates our existing need to augment our California production capacity based on backlog orders today; but more importantly enables us to meet our expected increasing production quantity and aircraft type requirements which are expected to ramp significantly each year for the foreseeable future.  Our range of unmanned jet aircraft now range from about 10 feet to 30 feet in length with wingspans up to about 27 feet.  Our facility selection and production layout will facilitate multiple simultaneous production lines building each of our different aircraft models, and it enables us to readily vary the production rate between models in the same facility.  Oklahoma, and specifically Oklahoma City with its proximity to Tinker Air Force Base and other aerospace primes and suppliers is the ideal home for our expanding UAS production and development work.”

The Oklahoma facility is the latest in a series of expansions announced by Kratos in recent months, including significantly expanded facilities in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for its space communications products, and doubling of its manufacturing capacity for training and simulation systems in Orlando, Florida. This is in addition to opening offices in several cities outside the U.S. to capitalize on increasing global demand for the company’s advanced technologies, including in Saudi Arabia, Australia and Singapore.

About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms and systems for United States national security-related customers, allies and commercial enterprises.  Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technology for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research and streamlined development processes. Kratos specializes in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training and combat systems. For more information go to www.KratosDefense.com.

Governor Mary Fallin reads from a plaque she presented Friday to Eric DeMarco, president and chief executive officer of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the company’s new 100,000-square-foot unmanned aircraft production facility in the Will Rogers Business Park in Oklahoma City.

A Kratos Mako Tactical unmanned aerial drone system is shown during a rocket assist take-off launch. The aircraft will be produced by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., at its new production facility in Oklahoma City.

A Kratos Firejet unmanned aerial drone system is shown on its pneumatic launcher. The aircraft will be produced by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., at its new production facility in Oklahoma City.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Michael McNutt, Communications Director
Michael.McNutt@gov.ok.gov

OK Farm Bureau’s PAC Endorsed Candidates

OKAgFund endorses, funds candidates in state elections

The OKAgFund, Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s political action committee, has endorsed 22 candidates and donated to 71 candidates running for election in statewide, state Senate and state House races.
The OKAgFund board met Friday, May 18, to donate a total of $63,000 to candidates and to choose candidates for endorsement based on input from farmers and ranchers across Oklahoma.

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Bill Allowing Sale of Insurance across State Lines Passes House

Communications & Public Affairs
April 27, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. Lewis Moore
Phone: (405) 557-7400

Bill Allowing Sale of Insurance across State Lines Passes House

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today unanimously passed a bill that will allow individuals to purchase health insurance from any state participating in a yet-to-be-determined compact. The bill passed by a vote of 80-0.

Senate Bill 478, by state Rep. Lewis Moore and Bill Brown of the Senate, will allow the Oklahoma Insurance Department to compact with other states in offering more affordable and better tailored individual health insurance policies across state lines. The plans would still have to be approved by each participating state legislature, but would require all compacted states to offer coverage that minimally matches mandated coverage required in Oklahoma.

“This bill will make individual insurance more affordable and will increase coverage options for Oklahomans,” said Moore, R-Arcadia.

He said the bill will allow individuals to keep their current Oklahoma plans if they wish, or they can shop for more affordable plans or ones better tailored to meet their individual needs. The compact also will allow individuals to find better coverage in some instances, such as for autism care. Thirty-two other states offer coverage with more mandates to include more comprehensive coverage for those with autism, Moore said.

Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak recently issued a statement in favor of the bill saying the measure will not circumvent Oklahoma coverage mandates, and in some cases could result in better coverages than now offered.

Moore said this bill puts in place the mechanism for the insurance department to move forward on negotiating plans and forming a compact. The bill has protections for Oklahoma companies as they compete to match policies offered by other states.

The bill now goes to conference committee before returning to the Senate for final passage.

“Many groups combined to take ownership of SB478 and make it better,” Rep. Moore said.

Press Release: Bill Allowing Sale of Insurance Across State Lines Passes Committee

Communications & Public Affairs
April 11, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. Lewis Moore
Phone: (405) 557-7400

Bill Allowing Sale of Insurance across State Lines Passes Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Insurance Committee today passed a bill that will allow individuals to purchase health insurance across state lines.

Senate Bill 478, by state Rep. Lewis Moore and Bill Brown of the Senate, will allow the Oklahoma Insurance Department to compact with other states in offering more affordable and better tailored individual health insurance policies across state lines. The plans would still have to be approved by each participating state legislature.

“In support of the president’s and the Republican’s desire to make individual health care affordable again, the Oklahoma House of Representatives’ Insurance Committee today passed Senate Bill 478,” said Moore, R-Arcadia.

He said the bill will allow individuals to keep their current Oklahoma plans if they wish, or they can shop for other competitive plans to meet their individual needs. The compact also will allow individuals to find better coverage in some instances, such as for autism care that is better provided for by 46 other states than in Oklahoma, he said.

“The free market works every time,” said Moore. “This bill allows individuals to find more comprehensive or catastrophic coverage if that is what is desired, and it should reduce the cost of individual coverage.”

Moore said this bill puts in place the mechanism for the insurance department to move forward on negotiating plans and forming a compact. The bill has protections for Oklahoma companies as they compete to match policies offered by other states. He added the National Association of Insurance Commissioners said they are against the federal government mandating such compacts, but they favor each state choosing participation for itself.

Oklahoma Receives REAL ID Extension through June 2017

okgov-seal_crop

Office of Governor Mary Fallin


OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin along with legislative leaders today announced that Oklahoma has received an extension through June 6, 2017, to meet the requirements in the REAL ID Act. But the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned that failure for the state to act during the 2017 legislative session on legislation committing Oklahoma to all the REAL ID requirements could result in the denial of future extension requests.

Without the extension, federal agencies later this month would have been prohibited from accepting Oklahoma driver’s licenses and identification cards, meaning those without identification that complies with the REAL ID Act won’t be able to enter a federal building, military base or courthouse. REAL ID enforcement for boarding commercial aircraft is scheduled to begin Jan. 22, 2018.

 

The letter states that “for the duration of this extension, federal agencies may accept Oklahoma-issued drivers’ licenses and identification cards for official purposes in accordance with the phased enforcement schedule and existing agency policies.”

 

“Although this is great news for Oklahomans, this is only a temporary fix,” said Fallin. “While there will be no restrictions on individuals using Oklahoma licenses to fly or access federal buildings through June, legislation must be approved this session to make this permanent. I will continue to work with legislators, the state Department of Public Safety, Oklahoma’s congressional delegation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to ensure a permanent solution is passed into law before this extension expires in June.”

 

Identical letters sent to Fallin and Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz and House Speaker Charles McCall state that DHS “recognizes Oklahoma’s efforts in enhancing the security of its driver’s licenses and identification cards” and granted the extension “indicating the plans of your administration and state legislative leaders to move forward on a legislative solution and their expectation that a vote will occur in the 2017 legislative session. This extension is intended to provide Oklahoma with the opportunity to take any necessary steps needed to meet all the requirements of the REAL ID Act and implementing regulation.”

 

“I’m pleased Oklahoma has been granted an extension by the Department of Homeland Security,” Schulz said. “DHS recognized Oklahoma’s sincere efforts to resolve issues in complying with the federal REAL ID law. This is an important issue for the thousands of Oklahomans whose livelihoods depend upon access to federal buildings and military installations, and it is an issue of convenience in regards to airline travel. There’s still more work to do to solve this issue permanently, but addressing REAL ID compliance will remain a high priority when the Legislature convenes in a few weeks.”

 

McCall said: “I am very pleased that the federal government is giving us additional time to develop a legislative solution to this issue. This extension will allow our citizens to continue to interact with our federal entities without interruption. House Republicans are committed to a solution that will bring Oklahoma into compliance with the Real ID Act while also protecting the privacy and liberty of our citizens.”

 

Fallin, Schulz and McCall wrote a letter last month to DHS requesting the extension.

 

Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 to make driver’s licenses harder to forge. Oklahoma legislators in 2007 passed a bill forbidding the state from meeting provisions of the act.


Protecting the citizens of our 50 United States is a primary duty of the federal government.  Oklahomans value their liberty and freedom of movement that is protected by the U.S. Constitution.  REAL ID provides multiple options for you to travel on federally regulated aircraft, entry into some federal buildings, nuclear facilities and military facilities.

Visit TSA.gov for more information about REALID.

The Oklahoma State Legislature is working to make a reasonable option available to Oklahomans.  If you want or need to convert
your Oklahoma drivers license into a REAL ID, you will be able to do so with an increase in cost.  We want your documentation,
required to be scanned and stored online to be as secure as possible.

If you don’t want or need a REAL ID we want your documentation you submit for a Oklahoma drivers license to be separated from the
REAL ID system for greater security.

We also want Tag Agents to continue to be part of the drivers license delivery system and continue to serve the public in
expeditious manner we’ve come to expect.  REAL ID in its current form threatens TAG Agencies’ ability to process drivers licenses
and / or REAL ID.

We cannot guarantee any documentation you submit will be safe from hacking and ID theft.

If you have any questions contact your State Representative, State Senator, Department of Public Safety and TAG Agency.