Lockheed Martin Corp.’s new Center for Innovation doesn’t just invite you to step out of the box.

The futuristic $35 million facility, which opened Monday with much fanfare in northern Suffolk, pushes creative thinkers to step beyond traditional boundaries in developing and testing systems to strengthen the nation’s military and homeland security forces.

Lockheed’s new

hexagon-shaped 50,000-square-foot building is an &uot;idea lab where we can collaborate with our customers on the art of the possible,&uot; said Stanton D. Sloane, the company’s executive vice president, speaking to approximately 60 invited guests during Monday’s dedication and grand-opening ceremony. Company and military leaders joined Gov. Mark R. Warner, Sen. John W. Warner, R-Va.; and Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Va., at the ribbon-cutting event

&uot;This is a great day for Lockheed Martin,&uot; said Robert J. Stevens, the company’s president and chief executive officer.

The center -under construction for the past 18 months – is designed to be a research laboratory where Lockheed’s numerous defense customers can meet the ever-changing needs of the war fighter through the marriage of information and technology.

&uot;This is an idea factory, an innovation factory,&uot; said Gov. Warner, gesturing around the room packed with military leaders.

The domed building is divided into six major sections, each equipped with the latest in computer technology and props – such as a police car and cruise missiles – to challenge engineers to develop new and better ways to protect the country. Each sector – which bears a marine-oriented name such as the Lynnhaven and Chincoteague -is specifically geared for work in various areas: homeland security, net-centric operations, and logistics and forced applications.

A 56-foot lighthouse -complete with a working Chesapeake Bay beacon – sits in the heart of the 50,000-square-foot building.

The second-floor of the lighthouse – where people working from various sectors can gather for coffee and chat – promises to be where some of the most important – and potentially, future-changing – conversations take place, said Richard C. &uot;Buck &uot; Marr, the center’s vice president.

&uot;We’ve tried to create an environment that fosters creativity and collaboration,&uot; he said.

Modeling and simulation is vital to Virginia’s future, said Warner, adding that it pumped approximately $400 million into the state’s economy last year.

&uot;Modeling and simulation will keep Virginia on the cutting edge of technology,&uot; said Warner. &uot;It serves the needs of the military…and is a major economic force in the Commonwealth.&uot;

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com