“This new Kongsberg factory will provide additional production capacity, sustainment and in-country tech refresh capabilities for our Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and Joint Strike Missile (JSM) – both highly advanced, fifth generation cruise missiles capable of both maritime strike and land attack,” said Eirik Lie. In 2024, the United States Navy awarded Kongsberg a multi-year contract for the NSM, while the Marine Corps selected it for NMESIS and the United States Air Force chose the JSM for use on the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter.
“We are proud to invest in defense manufacturing in the United States and excited to onshore our world-class capabilities in James City County, VA,” said Heather Armentrout, President and General Manager of Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace, Inc. She added, “The state of Virginia, including the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Hampton Roads Alliance, have been integral in this process and we look forward to growing our presence in the U.S. as we ramp up hiring.”
The facility was announced in September 2024 and is expected to create more than 180 jobs in the James City County area, while injecting over $100 million in economic benefits and opportunities for local suppliers. Preparatory site work has begun, with construction planned for the second quarter of 2026, missile manufacturing from late 2027 and full-rate production by the end of 2028, as the NSM has been selected by 14 countries and the JSM by five nations, including the United States.
