Triton Systems: Advancing National Security since 1992
What is Triton System’s competitive edge as an innovative small business?
Triton Systems, established in 1992, is a small business in Massachusetts specializing in research and development and light manufacturing. The company has core competencies in advanced materials and engineered systems and sub-systems for the military and homeland security community.
It operates a secure facility certified by national security agencies, where it has developed innovative new technologies benefiting the warfighter for nearly three decades.
Triton offers a proven talent pool of technologists, scientists, engineers, and systems integrators who are applying their knowledge and experience to solve difficult technology challenges for commercial and government customers.
How is Triton Systems supporting U.S. national security?
Triton has an exceptional track record of successfully developing and transitioning a steady stream of game-changing innovations for the government.
The company has executed many competitively sourced R&D and production contracts through competitively sourced contracts with the government and industry. Over its 33 years of operation, Triton has leveraged approximately $350 million of US government investments, coupled with significant US investments to design, build establish a US supply chain and deliver multiple products to the DoD prime contractors and platforms. According to independent sources, Triton’s two leading products deliver an estimated savings exceeding $750 million to the DoD acquisition effort. The company also has additional products at various stages of implementation.
One of the most impactful Triton technologies has substantially reduced the sustainability costs of the F-35 stealth fighter jet. According to the Air Force (www.af.mil), the Triton solution is projected to save $550 million over the life cycle of the program, representing a nearly 20X return on investment.
How has Triton Systems been recognized for its exceptional government work?
In 2016, Triton Systems was awarded the coveted Tibbetts Award by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The award, which is named for Robert Tibbetts, who was instrumental in founding the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, is presented annually “to those who are beacons of promise and models of excellence in high technology.”
How does Triton Systems safeguard sensitive technologies from foreign espionage?
Triton is 100% U.S.-owned and its Board of Directors consists of only U.S. citizens. Triton’s employees hold a significant ownership stake in the company. Triton’s Board members bring a track record of technology and product development across several industries. As a secure facility, the company has a strict data management policy. Triton has instituted a strict data segregation policy whereby its government programs are maintained under the leadership of its COO. All operational details, including government -supplied and internally generated data, are shielded from the Board and CEO, and the Board maintains no operational one.
As a matter of policy, Triton does not transfer any intellectual property derived from SBIRs, STTRs or other government contracts to any of its subsidiaries or spin-offs, unless the subsidiary has strict relevant agency approvals and credentials. No IP gets transferred, directly or indirectly, to any spin-offs or subcontractors that may secure foreign funding, especially sourced from “countries of interest”.
What safeguards does Triton have in place to support sensitive programs and technologies?
Triton is entrusted sensitive and classified information by the U.S. government, and takes this responsibility with the utmost seriousness.
As required, Triton isolates all sensitive programs on a need-to-know basis for staff with appropriate levels of clearances and training to handle such information. All Triton employees are required to report all foreign travel and any attempts by foreign personnel to discuss Triton-related matters. These reports are filed with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), which regularly audits Triton and assists in training the staff as to best practices and emerging threats.
All these arrangements have been submitted through DCSA’s National Industrial Security System (NISS).
As a security facility, Triton has established formal organizational structures, policies and procedures to ensure the protection of classified information as defined by the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) and U.S. export controls and regulations (“Export Controlled Information”) and confidential unclassified information (“CUI”).
Triton’s Government Security Committee (GSC), consisting of its COO, Facility Security Officer (FSO), and its General Counsel oversee these policies and procedures. The GSC reviews internal and external threats monthly and regularly communicates with our Defense Security and Counterintelligence Agency (DCSA) representatives.
In addition, as required by the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-183), Triton also regularly reviews potential foreign risks and any potential ties of its employees, suppliers and partners with foreign companies of concern.
Another critical security requirement is cyber security. Triton has invested heavily to meet the NIST SP 800-171 requirements for defense contractors and is currently investing in infrastructure to make sure we can meet all upcoming Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements. CMMC is a unified standard designed to increase trust in measures of compliance to cybersecurity standards for defense contractors and subcontractors
What is Triton System’s relationship with commercial spinoffs?
Triton is proud to have had several successful commercial spin-offs. Spin-offs are generally created once Triton determines that outside investment is needed to bring its innovations into the commercial marketplace. A separate company, with independent management, Board of Directors and corporate governance is established. No government contracts, data, IP or other is transferred unless determined to be non-sensitive through the process described above. Over subsequent investment and mergers, Triton reduces its influence and equity stake to a minority position. If the spin off becomes publicly listed, as a matter of policy, Triton divests its equity stake as soon as possible.
How are Triton’s commercial spin-offs funded?
As described above, each commercial spin-off has an independent board and management team and execute their own strategic product plan. Triton is passionate about attracting top talent into the spin-offs. The spin-offs each competitively secure public or private financing. Most spin-offs also have product revenues and rely on growing sales to offset their funding needs. Once the spin-offs are truly independent, Triton does not have any control on the company.