UTS Systems Gets Major U.S. Air Force Contract

UTS Systems, the Fairfield-based manufacturer of deployable expeditionary shelter systems used by the military, recently got a big boost to its business with a $52 million, 10-year contract that the company signed with the U.S. Air Force.

The contract calls for the company to design, develop and manufacture a new Energy Efficient, Small Shelter System. “This contract is in addition to our current production of shelters that takes place here in Fairfield supporting all of the military services,” said Michael Tyson, UTS Systems vice president for programs.

“The premise behind this new shelter – as the title suggests – is to design and manufacture an energy efficient, modular and durable solution to the military’s need for a quickly deployable expeditionary shelter system,” said Tyson. With the focus on energy efficiency, the new product “reduces the amount of fuel used to operate the system. … We’ll be selling thousands of these to the Air Force.”

He said the plan “is to begin manufacture of these shelters in the next few months. We are very excited about our continued support of the Air Force. Current sales to the Air Force include our regular shelters as well as specialized shelters for use by the Air Force medical services. We also heavily support the U.S. Army and Marine Corps with sales of shelters and other support equipment.” “We are delighted to learn about the multiyear contract granted to UTS Systems in Fairfield,” said Brandy Flint, economic development director for Rockbridge County. “UTS has been a cornerstone in the northern part of Rockbridge County, and this contract ensures the continued sustainability of the company and its contribution to our economic vitality.”

The plant in Fairfield currently has 85 workers. More employees are being hired to fulfill the terms of the Air Force contract, though Tyson said it’s difficult to put a specific number on how many new employees are to be hired.

“We’re always hiring at all times,” he commented.

The company’s three plants in Fairfield, Florida and Ohio employ a combined work force of about 150.

UTS Systems’ Fairfield plant operates out of the former Bea Maurer Inc. manufacturing facility that also produced deployable shelters for the military. Dynovis, the name of the company when it opened in Fairfield in 2018, merged with UTS Systems in 2022 and took on that name.