The new facility is purpose-built for rapid iteration and full-rate production of the C100 multi-mission UAS and the AM-FPV attritable munition. It enables the company to bring design, manufacturing, flight testing, and delivery under one roof with a monthly capacity of 350 C100s and 5,000 AM-FPVs.
“There is a national imperative and ethical duty to provide our warfighters and first responders with the most technologically advanced and operationally capable tools possible,” said Ryan Gury, PDW CEO and co-founder. “This facility gives us the scale, speed, and control needed to deliver mission-critical systems ahead of the threat.”
“The ever-evolving battlefield and global threat landscape demand reliable multi-mission unmanned systems capable of rapid production at scale,” Gury continued. “Drone Factory 01 will allow us to produce these systems, deliver to operators in the field, and iterate as needed faster than ever before.”
The modular architecture of PDW’s C100 allows interoperability with dozens of payloads to extend reconnaissance, range, and impact. The system has been awarded multiple U.S. Army contracts, including the Medium Range Reconnaissance program and the Transformation in Contact Initiative, while also serving public safety operations.
“Huntsville is more than our headquarters. It’s our edge. The innovation coming out of this city is reshaping the pace of defense manufacturing,” said PDW COO and President James Slider. “We’re not reacting to demand; we’re setting the pace. This facility proves what’s possible when the right people are in the right place with the right mission.”
The opening of DF01 introduces more than 500 jobs to Huntsville and is projected to generate over $81 million in annual economic impact. The state-of-the-art facility includes advanced production systems, quality engineering capabilities, and 99.9% pathogen reduction through Lit Thinking’s Visium Far-UVC devices.
“PDW is an innovation engine for national defense and an economic catalyst for Huntsville,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “This expansion brings high-quality jobs, strengthens our advanced manufacturing sector, and reinforces Huntsville’s position as a strategic hub for defense and aerospace. We’re proud to have PDW growing here and contributing to our community’s future.”
“PDW’s new drone factory is a powerful example of Alabama’s ability to support cutting-edge manufacturing at the highest level,” said Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. “This facility in Huntsville will not only deliver critical technology to our nation’s warfighters and first responders, but it will also bring over 500 high-quality jobs and millions in economic impact to the community.”
“Today is the day the least number of drones will exist in the world – it’s all growth from here,” said Gury. “We’re confident that Drone Factory 01 will be a prominent contributor to the rapid production and adoption of small UAS on a global scale for both military and public safety operations. DF01 is just the beginning of PDW’s response to the national imperative to establish American drone dominance and we look forward to DF02 and beyond.”
