Aalyria Signs Agreement to Join New DIU-Funded Secure Defense Facility in Pittsburgh

Defense Innovation Unit investment brings secure infrastructure for classified defense work to western Pennsylvania, backing Aalyria's hiring ambition in the Pittsburgh region

LIVERMORE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aalyria, an advanced aerospace communications company whose products are critical to the next generation of space-based communications systems, today announced it has signed an agreement to use a new Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) being built in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The facility is funded by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the U.S. Department of War organization that accelerates the adoption of commercial technology for national security. As an early win for DIU’s Bridge initiative, this project removes systemic barriers to scaling commercial technology by successfully securing access to classified infrastructure. Aalyria made the announcement at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

The Pittsburgh SCIF is part of Aalyria's broader ambition in western Pennsylvania. In addition to DIU, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) served as co-investors on this project. With secure infrastructure now accessible in the city, Aalyria can take on classified government programs from its Pittsburgh operation and build the local team those programs demand. Pittsburgh is home to world-class robotics, AI, and engineering talent, exactly the skills Aalyria is recruiting. The company is committed to expanding its presence in the region.

Aalyria's Spacetime platform is already running in programs across the U.S. Government, allied partners, and commercial satellite operators. Spacetime orchestrates communications networks in real time across land, sea, air, and space, routing around failures and adapting to changing conditions without human intervention. The company has worked with DIU, the U.S. Space Force, NASA, and military services across the federal government. Access to a Pittsburgh SCIF lets Aalyria bring that work closer to the engineering teams it is building in the region.

“DIU understands that defense capability increasingly depends on commercial technology and innovation. Carnegie Mellon University is among the world's leading institutions for robotics, AI, and computer science. The University of Pittsburgh brings deep strength in engineering and applied research,” said Brian Barritt, CEO of Aalyria. “This facility means Aalyria can now base classified defense work in Pittsburgh and work with the people who make it one of America's most compelling technology cities.”

"Pennsylvania has some of the best defense infrastructure, research institutions, and engineering schools in the country. We've always played a big role in American defense, and this new secure facility in Pittsburgh keeps that going. It gives companies working on cutting-edge defense technology a place to do that work here, close to the people and institutions that make them successful. That's the goal of the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit — connecting our Commonwealth's strengths with the people who need them. Aalyria is an example of the kind of company we want to attract and expand in Pennsylvania," said Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA).

About Aalyria

Aalyria is building the next generation space-based communications infrastructure designed for high-performance networking in complex, dynamic environments. Built on inventions originally developed at Google, Aalyria delivers high-capacity laser communications terminals and AI-powered intelligent network orchestration software that enable secure, resilient connectivity across terrestrial, airborne, and space-based systems. Aalyria supports commercial satellite operators and government missions worldwide. For more information, visit www.aalyria.com.