Why LTTS is Designing AI-based Defence Tech in Texas
With around 55% of its revenue already coming from North America, L&T Technology Services (LTTS) has taken a bold step. It has inaugurated its new Engineering Design Centre in Plano, Texas. The facility, which is set to create at least 350 high-skilled jobs, marks a significant step in the company’s long-term strategy to expand nearshore operations and deepen its presence in AI, cybersecurity, digital manufacturing, and defence systems compliant with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). US leaders welcomed LTTS’ commitment to local innovation. Senator Ted Cruz hailed the centre as a “testament to excellence and ingenuity”, while US Congressman Pat Fallon called it “a bright signal of Texas’ leadership in innovation”. The launch event was attended by key dignitaries, including Plano mayor John B Muns, Fallon, the Consul General of India in Houston, Manjunath Chenneerappa, and LTTS mobility and tech president Alind Saxena. Why Texas? Texas, with its influx of corporate headquarters and a maturing tech ecosystem, was a deliberate choice. “Many companies have relocated to Texas. That creates an ecosystem which is important for forward-looking technologies—from AI and cybersecurity to digital manufacturing and aerospace,” Saxena told AIM in an exclusive interview. “This centre is more than just an engineering hub—it’s a symbol of our promise to bring innovation closer to our clients across all major segments and industries that we serve,” Saxena said. “Plano is now a critical pillar in our global delivery model, working closely with local partners and talent to co-create industry-defining solutions right here in Texas.” With nearly 2,400 professionals already deployed across North America, LTTS views this investment as both strategic and timely. The centre is built to design, develop, and test defence-grade systems, with half the facility reserved for secure, aerospace and defence work. It will also drive innovation in cybersecurity—including a dedicated Security Operations Centre—while advancing AI, digital manufacturing, medical tech, and smart transportation, especially in trucking and off-highway vehicles. Mayor Muns summed up the moment: “LTTS is not just creating jobs—it is shaping the future of advanced technology development and smart manufacturing in North Texas.” LTTS sees this investment as a key component of its growth strategy. What makes it unique is the dual focus on deep-tech product development and a tightly controlled ITAR-compliant environment for aerospace and defence work, critical for working with US clients on secure technologies. In its initial phase, the centre will house 100 engineers, with plans to scale further across core sectors including mobility, aerospace, and medical technologies. What Will the Centre Focus On? The centre is already working on next-generation systems like real-time railway inspection tools, ADAS frameworks, software-defined imaging for endoscopy, and AI-powered simulation environments built on NVIDIA’s Omniverse. Saxena noted that these innovations are not just software-first. “We are among the few pushing AI into mechanical and embedded systems development,” Saxena said. “There’s a lot of AI that can also be applied to mechanical and embedded systems design. We’re positioning ourselves uniquely in those areas.” Crucially, the Plano centre will allow LTTS to shrink product development cycles through edge AI and simulation, while also serving as a real-world testing ground. “That last 1% of accuracy—the difference between working in theory and working in the field—is where this centre will deliver,” Saxena said. The aim is to reduce the product development life cycle using AI agents, not replace engineers. “It’s not either/or—we’re using AI to make engineers more productive. Maybe earlier we’d need 1,000 people; now we can do it with 350 smart ones,” she further said. Half of the facility is dedicated to defence-grade development that is only accessible to US citizens. “We’ve built isolated, secure environments that comply with government regulations and let customers co-develop critical systems with us right here in the US,” he added. LTTS has also confirmed plans to integrate its Fusion platform—originally used for large-scale deployments like Kumbh Mela in India—to handle smart manufacturing and logistics scenarios in the US. “Data is coming from everywhere. Fusion helps make sense of it all, especially as US manufacturing gets reshored and needs to operate at higher efficiency levels,” Saxena said. LTTS plans to hire local engineers in Texas to strengthen context-driven innovation. “People who grow up in an environment understand its practical nuances. That gives us an edge not just in tech but in relevance,” Saxena noted. He doesn’t see AI agents replacing engineers but amplifying them. “It’s not about hiring AI agents instead of people. It’s about using AI to make great engineers even better,” he said. While the company is currently focused on Plano, more design centres are on the way. “We are always looking at expanding—both in the US and globally. You will hear more from us soon,” Saxena said.
The centre is built to design, develop, and test defence-grade systems, with half the facility reserved for secure, aerospace and defence work.
The centre is built to design, develop, and test defence-grade systems, with half the facility reserved for aerospace and defence work.
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Mohit writes about AI in simple, explainable, and often funny words. He's especially passionate about chatting with those building AI for Bharat, with the occasional detour into AGI.