Anduril Industries is set to build high-speed FURY combat drones at a massive new Ohio facility, promising 4,000 jobs over the next decade and signaling a shift in how the Pentagon approaches next-generation unmanned aircraft.
The defense tech start-up will begin production of its FURY “loyal wingman” drones at the Arsenal-1 autonomous systems campus, located 20 miles south of Columbus, Ohio. The $1 billion plant is expected to employ roughly 250 workers by the end of this year, eventually scaling up to more than 4,000 over the next ten years. The move reflects growing U.S. military interest in unmanned platforms following operational successes on battlefields in Ukraine and Iran.
Anduril’s manufacturing strategy diverges from traditional defense contractors. Rather than designing prototypes first and adjusting for production later, the company incorporates manufacturability from the start, using commercial-grade materials like aluminum, composite techniques adapted from the recreational boat industry, and a commercially supported jet engine for the FURY drones. This approach is intended to reduce costs, speed production, and ensure a reliable supply chain and maintenance ecosystem.
The FURY drones are part of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, designed to operate alongside crewed fighter jets as autonomous “wingmen.” Anduril also plans to produce its Roadrunner interceptor, Barracuda cruise missile family, and a classified program at the Ohio facility by the end of the year. The company already operates production sites in Mississippi, Australia, Rhode Island, Colorado, Atlanta, North Carolina, and Southern California, making the Ohio campus a central hub for its expansion in autonomous defense systems.
