News Summary
Anduril Industries has decided to establish its new drone manufacturing facility in Ohio, abandoning plans for North Carolina’s Charlotte region. Despite earlier negotiations to build a $1 billion factory that would create 4,000 jobs in North Carolina, the company cited rising interest in its products and a doubling of its valuation to $30.5 billion as reasons for the shift. This decision is a significant loss for North Carolina’s economic development efforts, although Anduril will continue to operate a facility in the state focused on creating autonomous military drones.
Charlotte, North Carolina – Major Drone Company Chooses Ohio Over State for New Factory
Anduril Industries, a leading defense technology firm, has announced it will establish its new drone manufacturing facility in Ohio, despite earlier discussions to build the project in North Carolina’s Charlotte region. This decision marks a significant shift for the company and represents a setback for North Carolina’s economic development plans.
Initial Negotiations and Proposed Investment in North Carolina
Last summer, North Carolina’s economic officials actively engaged with Anduril Industries to develop a $1 billion drone factory in the greater Charlotte area. The proposed project included plans to create approximately 4,000 jobs and offer a $250 million performance-based incentive grant to support the endeavor. The state viewed this prospective investment as a major boost for the region’s manufacturing and defense sectors.
Anduril’s Decision to Locate in Ohio
Despite these efforts, Anduril announced it would instead build its new manufacturing site in Ohio. The company’s choice was confirmed amid rising interest in its products and a growing valuation that doubled to about $30.5 billion in recent months. This move signifies a notable loss for North Carolina, which had been actively courting the company to expand its presence within the state.
Background on Anduril Industries
Founded in 2017, Anduril Industries has gained rapid prominence for its development of automated defense systems. The company received recognition as the world’s most innovative private company in June 2025. Its valuation surged as interest for its autonomous military applications increased globally.
Existing Operations and Product Development in North Carolina
While the new factory is departing from North Carolina, the company continues to operate a facility near Research Triangle Park. Since August 2023, the site has grown from 70 to 158 employees within a year. This Mid-Size facility specializes in producing an autonomous aircraft called Fury, designed for military uses, particularly air-to-air combat scenarios.
Details about the Fury Drone and Its Capabilities
The Fury drone, measuring approximately 20 feet in length and capable of reaching speeds up to 0.95 Mach, is an AI-enabled unmanned aircraft. Originally developed by Blue Force Technologies, which Anduril acquired two years ago, Fury was primarily created for military training and combat applications. Its autonomous operation was demonstrated publicly in May, when it was featured on a major television program, highlighting its ability to engage in aerial combat without human pilots.
Partnerships and Military Trials
The U.S. Air Force has validated Fury’s capabilities and selected Anduril, along with General Atomics, to develop drones for the collaborative combat aircraft program. While General Atomics has already begun testing prototypes, Anduril plans to initiate Fury testing soon. The standup of production for these drone systems is expected in Fiscal Year 2026.
Other Business Development and Local Response in North Carolina
Recently, North Carolina communities have expressed concern over development projects such as data centers, citing environmental impacts like noise and light pollution. One recent proposal involved Natelli Investments, which filed paperwork to develop a data storage project in Apex. Public opposition arose through local groups, reflecting community worries about such developments.
Preceding Anduril’s pursuit, a smaller company, Natron Energy, faced collapse after failing to secure necessary certifications, leaving a vacancy in Edgecombe County. The state noted that no incentives were granted to Natron Energy and highlighted its strategy of “taking shots on goal,” meaning actively pursuing multiple opportunities despite setbacks.
Recent Corporate Movements and Strategies
In September 2025, Anduril announced the acquisition of Blue Force Technologies, strengthening its footprint in autonomous aircraft development. The company is now integrating Fury with its Lattice for Mission Autonomy software, which enables complex decision-making by autonomous systems. These developments align with Pentagon initiatives aimed at deploying low-cost, autonomous military systems to enhance operational capabilities.
Summary
Though North Carolina offered substantial incentives and had an operational footprint, Anduril Industries opted for Ohio to establish its latest drone manufacturing facility, a decision driven by corporate strategic considerations and regional advantages. While the company maintains ongoing military and commercial projects in North Carolina, the relocation underscores shifting priorities in the defense tech industry and the competitive nature of states vying to attract such high-tech investments.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Anduril Industries: Acquisition of Blue Force Technologies
- GovCon Wire: Anduril Purchases Autonomous Aircraft Developer
- C4ISRNET: Anduril Acquires Drone Company
- Wikipedia: Drone
- Google Search: Anduril Industries
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
