KBR launched its inaugural Innovation Studio in Bengaluru, powered by Applied Computing, to establish a base for delivering industrial AI from India. The studio serves as KBR's operational hub for remote monitoring and advisory services delivered through INSITE 3.0, powered by Applied Computing's Orbital Platform. This collaboration combines Applied Computing's foundation AI for energy with KBR's process technology to serve global industrial customers.

The hub will deliver remote monitoring and advisory services to KBR's existing global industrial customers. It also serves as the foundation for deploying the new INSITE 3.0 AI capability to the first wave of customers later this year. In March, KBR launched INSITE 3.0, its digital delivery platform powered by Orbital, marking the first product to integrate the foundation model with KBR's process technology expertise.

Strategic Collaboration

The Innovation Studio is co-located with Applied Computing's Bengaluru office. This strategic co-location brings together KBR's operational experts and Applied Computing's engineering team base. The integration aims to leverage decades of process technology knowledge and a foundation model built specifically for the energy sector.

Leadership Perspectives

Hari Ravindran, SVP and Global Head of Technology Solutions, KBR, said: "The Innovation Studio reflects KBR's commitment to building deep technology partnerships in India and investing in the future of industrial operations here. Co-locating the KBR Innovation Studio, staffed by our operational experts, alongside Applied Computing's engineering team base, brings the best of both together: decades of process technology knowledge and a foundation model built specifically for energy. This is a long-term commitment to our customers in the region and to the engineers and specialists who will deliver for them."

Dan Jeavons, President of Applied Computing, said: "India is where the future of industrial AI is being decided. The scale of operations, the pace of growth and the willingness to adopt advanced technologies are unmatched anywhere in the world. This studio launch is our chance to show, in a live control room, what foundation AI built for energy can actually do. Orbital is already delivering results at some of the largest refineries on the planet, and bringing the industry together in Bengaluru is the clearest signal yet of where we believe this technology is heading."

Facility Overview

At the studio's opening event last week, KBR leadership hosted members of the media as well as subject matter experts, experienced field engineers, operations and maintenance specialists. The launch event offered a first look at the facility and a live demonstration of INSITE 3.0 in action.

KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business has been awarded a $95 million Digital Engineering and Enterprise Decision Support (DEEDS) contract by the U.S. Space Force to advance digital engineering capabilities. The five-year cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract will drive the development of space systems and space warfighting technologies. KBR will enable faster, analytics-driven technology and acquisition decisions throughout the period of performance. The single-award contract will support Space Force missions at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Warfare Directorate, with work performed at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.

Contract Details

The DEEDS contract is structured as a cost-plus-fixed-fee agreement, providing KBR with a $95 million ceiling value over its five-year term. The work focuses on rapidly advancing digital engineering capabilities to support the U.S. Space Force's mission requirements.

Strategic Objectives

Under the contract, KBR will support the development of critical space systems and warfighting technologies. The company's role involves enabling analytics-driven decision-making for both technology development and acquisition processes. This initiative aims to enhance the speed and precision of the U.S. Space Force's operational capabilities. KBR will accelerate the transition of next-generation space capabilities from concept to operational deployment, strengthening mission readiness in a rapidly evolving threat environment.

Technical Approach

KBR supports rapid analysis, architecture development and requirements planning using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and advanced Modeling and Simulation (M&S) to accelerate technology maturation and operational readiness. This approach delivers Speed to Mission Impact℠ by enabling actionable insight and operational relevance, empowering faster, more resilient decision-making for complex space missions and rapid deployment to the warfighter.