U.S. defense contractor Anduril Industries announced plans to construct a “hyperscale” manufacturing facility in Ohio to increase the rate of production for autonomous systems.
The facility, called Arsenal-1, will “redefine the scale and speed that autonomous systems and weapons can be produced for the United States and its allies and partners,” Anduril Industries said in a press release.
The company called the facility a “monumental and essential step toward rebuilding America’s defense industrial base, strengthening America’s warfighting capabilities, and enhancing deterrence amid rising international threats.”
“Anduril is investing nearly $1 billion of its own dollars into the development of Arsenal-1 and will bring more than 4,000 direct jobs in the largest single job-creation project in the state’s history,” the company’s press release added. The site will also create an additional 8,500 jobs from suppliers, construction, and other sectors.
Anduril’s CEO, Brian Schimpf, said in a statement that the Columbus, Ohio, facility is a “step forward in how we manufacture the autonomous systems and weapons that our nation and our allies need to remain secure.”
“By harnessing a world-class workforce and a scalable, software-driven approach to manufacturing, Arsenal-1 will set the standard for how we respond to the challenges of the future fight,” he continued. “Ohio’s infrastructure and talent pool make it the ideal home for this historic effort to rebuild the arsenal of democracy.”
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (D) celebrated the facility’s announcement, declaring that the “future of American air power will be made in Ohio!”
DeWine further stated on X that the site is the “largest single job creation and new payroll project in Ohio’s history.”
