SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Kelly Space & Technology Inc. today announced plans to establish an East Coast operation, based in Rhode Island, to develop and market marine-industry applications for its lightweight ballistic-protection armor and other new technologies.

“Rhode Island’s great marine and defense industry – and its growing science and technology community, coupled with programs like the Business Innovation Factory (BIF) – provides a neutral platform where public- and private-sector innovators can collaborate to explore and test new business ideas,” Michael J. Gallo, the company’s president and CEO, said in a statement today.

“Our new East Coast operation will facilitate commercial arrangements and discussions with the federal government to determine the eventual scope and scale of production of ballistically-armored watercraft.”

The company’s polymer-based armor – moldable into any shape – absorbs and distributes impact. The proprietary system offers “superior weight-strength advantages over leading ballistic-armor products,” Kelly Space said. Incorporated into watercraft hulls, it is expected to offer both increased buoyancy and enhanced ballistic protection.

“Rhode Island welcomes Kelly Space & Technology to our growing base of marine and defense-related industries,” Gov. Donald L. Carcieri said in a statement today. “Our state’s small size and our commitment to helping companies grow and innovate are a strategic advantage that clever business people recognize.”

The location of its local facility has not yet been announced. But as production begins over the next year, Kelly Space said, the company expects to grow its Rhode Island operation to about 50 workers.

“Kelly represents an important opportunity for Rhode Island to use its unique strengths and strong position in the marine and defense sectors to create good, high-wage jobs,” said BIF founder Saul Kaplan, executive director of the R.I. Economic Development Corporation. Its decision to locate here “reinforces that Rhode Island is a strategic location of choice for innovators looking to develop and test new ideas in a smaller, more-manageable environment and then scale those ideas nationally.”

Kelly Space also received assistance from R.I. Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis. “My priority is helping businesses grow,” he said. His office’s Business Services Division and First Stop Business Center assist businesses interested in starting or relocating to Rhode Island. “We help companies with everything from filing articles of incorporation to preparing a roster of municipal and state agencies that regulate their industry.”

Kelly Space & Technology Inc. is a privately held technology company focusing on the aerospace, energy and homeland security sectors. It is based in California at the former Norton Air Force Base, now San Bernardino International Airport. To learn more, visit www.kellyspace.com.