The site is comprised of six major buildings located on 185 acres that enable the development and testing of advanced technologies. Some of the site’s key facilities include:
- Seven world-class indoor ranges for antenna and radar testing.
- 820-meter outdoor range for system alignment, targeting, and functionality testing of components.
- Multiple ground plane ranges with air-inflated dome structures and underground lab space.
- The Crystal Lab, which produces specialized crystals that are essential components of mission-critical technologies.
- The Expanse and Arcade, newly renovated workspaces that feature neighborhood seating areas, classified areas, a library, and a hub for meetings and engagement.
Bruce Gervais, the Merrimack site executive, prioritizes creating a safe and positive environment. “When people feel supported and engaged, they bring forward the ideas and innovation that make us successful,” Gervais said.
Human Capital
Merrimack’s culture enables employee development, offering structured mentoring programs and technical training that help employees grow their careers while advancing the mission of We Protect Those Who Protect Us®. The halls are filled with smart, energetic, and innovative engineers that like to solve hard problems. For example, employees working on integrated survivability solutions develop specialized skills in areas like sensor integration and signal processing leveraging EO/IR technology to enhance threat detection for aircraft, ground vehicle, and maritime protection.
At the Advanced Composite Manufacturing factory, engineers and technicians collaborate to design and produce complex antenna assemblies and radomes. These training programs provide employees the chance to learn highly specialized skills while working on systems that have real-world impact. Meanwhile, teams are pushing the boundaries of sensing and radiation-hardened technologies to support national security space missions.
Beyond the workplace, employees in Merrimack foster a strong community spirit. The site hosts various activities, including barbecues and regular ice cream socials, connecting employees across the campus. Employees participated in various charity fundraisers this year such as food drives, the back-to-school drive, and volunteer opportunities to benefit military families.
External Focus
The mission and urgent customer needs guide decision-making on site. Teams collaborate directly with customers to design, test, and validate products that can withstand the most demanding conditions. For instance, the environmental test services facility simulates extreme environments, from -40°C to 150°C, and humidity ranging from 10 to 95 percent. By subjecting products to these tests, employees ensure systems remain reliable when performance and quality are essential.
The site’s emphasis on product support and sustainment is also critical to mission success.
“When we think of sustainment, we often think of it as the final stage of a program life cycle, but for our warfighters, it’s the first thing they think about,” explained Josh Niedzwiecki, vice president and general manager of Electronic Combat Solutions. “The holistic lifecycle product support, with a focus on software maintenance, field support, and organic depot capabilities, ensures that systems like the F-22 and F-35 are fully mission capable when needed.”
Achieving Operational Excellence
Merrimack’s operations embody efficiency and continuous improvement. The Merrimack laser range enables teams to test and align systems in outdoor conditions that mirror operational use, while also capturing lab-quality data. This capability accelerates development timelines and reduces costs, delivering faster, more effective solutions. The site’s sustainment efforts, including those for the F-35 program, also play a critical role in ensuring the readiness and availability of military assets. Additionally, the site has made significant strides in improving processes that have historically been challenges – including its shipping and delivery processes. The site has been addressing this long-standing challenge by rethinking its mailroom operations and utilizing A.I. to help with tasks like before-and-after product photos.
Technology Disruption
Merrimack drives innovation, constantly exploring new ways to advance manufacturing processes or develop lighter, more resilient materials. Employees focus on cutting-edge technologies that will serve tomorrow’s missions. The site’s research and development efforts, including those at BAE Systems’ FAST Labs™ organization, pioneer new and emerging technologies in A.I., cyber, sensing and response, and electronic warfare.
Why Merrimack matters
Merrimack stands out as a site that combines technical excellence with a strong, supportive culture. From crystals to composites, and from test ranges to activity-based workspaces, employees are empowered to carry out work that matters for BAE Systems, customers, and national security.
By Drew Bollea, Communications