Defense technology company Opto-Knowledge Systems Inc. (OKSI) is expanding into Jacksonville with a new manufacturing facility expected to create about 200 jobs over the next three years.
The Los Angeles-based company plans to invest an estimated $5.4 million in a facility at 2000 Redmond Road in Jacksonville’s industrial park. Groundbreaking is expected in August, with operations scheduled to begin in 2026 after building improvements and equipment installation are complete.
Founded more than 35 years ago, OKSI develops advanced technologies for the defense and aerospace industries, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomous systems, advanced sensors and precision guidance technologies. The company has supported missions ranging from military operations to NASA’s Artemis II lunar flyby mission through its SCIFLI Airborne Multispectral Imager technology.
Company officials said the Arkansas expansion is driven by growing defense contracts focused on precision-guidance systems and next-generation autonomous targeting technology.
“OKSI selected Jacksonville for its strong manufacturing base, available workforce and strategic positioning to support scalable defense production,” said OKSI Executive Vice President Ilana Gat, Ph.D.
CEO Chris HolmesParker, Ph.D., said the company’s ARM GDN seeker technology is designed to provide a more affordable way to counter unmanned aircraft systems.
“The ARM GD seeker transforms our defense strategy from a costly war of attrition to a cost-effective campaign of precision,” HolmesParker said. “By harnessing existing rocket inventories, it dramatically cuts the expense of countering UAS [unmanned aircraft system/drone] threats, aligning our expenditures nearly 1:1 with the drones they counter. This shift from deploying prohibitively expensive munitions to utilizing ARM GDN’s affordable capabilities marks a pivotal move towards sustaining our defense without the economic strain.”
The new facility is expected to employ workers in manufacturing, engineering, technical operations, program management, systems integration, AI and machine learning development, and advanced defense technology production. Annual salaries are projected to range from about $45,000 to $153,000.
“When I drove through the city after selecting Jacksonville as the site of our expansion, I fell in love with Jacksonville,” said OKSI Vice President of Operations Jeff Raymond. “It was nice to see children playing outside and families spending time together.”
Jacksonville Mayor Jeff Elmore said the project reflects the city’s growing role in advanced manufacturing and defense technology.
“We are honored that OKSI has chosen to expand its manufacturing operations into Jacksonville, and we are thrilled to welcome the company to our city,” Elmore said. “OKSI’s decision to invest in Jacksonville speaks to the strength of our workforce, location, infrastructure and partnerships. OKSI’s presence in Jacksonville will continue to position the city as a growing hub for manufacturing and defense technology.”
Economic Development Director Robert Birch said the project represents a long-term investment in the city’s workforce.
“We are excited to welcome OKSI to Jacksonville,” Birch said. “These are highly skilled careers that offer strong wages and represent long-term investments in the future of manufacturing and defense technology. OKSI’s expansion into Jacksonville would not be possible without the assistance of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and Stuart Mackey, CCIM, SIOR, executive vice president of the Hathaway Group, who brought this possibility to our attention, and the City of Jacksonville is grateful for their partnership. The opportunities this provides for our city, state and nation are extraordinary, and we are grateful to OKSI for choosing Jacksonville.”
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