State-of-the-art facility unlocks massive production scale, more than 500 new jobs and substantial economic growth in the greater Huntsville area

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Aug. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PDW (Performance Drone Works) has officially opened Drone Factory 01, its new 90,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama. The massive facility exponentially increases PDW's production capacity and reinforces the company's role as a leading provider of battlefield-ready unmanned aircraft systems. Located in close proximity to the U.S. Army's Redstone Arsenal, PDW's new facility will house the team delivering drones designed, engineered and manufactured in America.

Purpose-built to support rapid iteration and full-rate production of the C100 multi-mission UAS and the AM-FPV attritable munition, the facility was built to meet and exceed the surging demand from U.S. and allied forces. Drone Factory 01(DF01) will bring the full production lifecycle of PDW's products under one roof – from design and manufacturing to flight test and delivery. The new facility vastly increases the company's build rates and output capacity, enabling the production of 350 C100s and 5,000 AM-FPVs per month.

"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. This facility gives us the scale, speed, and control needed to deliver mission-critical systems ahead of the threat," said Ryan Gury, PDW CEO and co-founder. "The ever-evolving battlefield and global threat landscape demand reliable multi-mission unmanned systems capable of rapid production at scale. Drone Factory 01 will allow us to produce these systems, deliver to operators in the field, and iterate as needed faster than ever before."

Renowned for its modular architecture, PDW's C100 enables interoperability with dozens of payloads to maximize reconnaissance, range, and impact. The company has received numerous contracts from the U.S. Army, including the Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) program and Transformation in Contact Initiative. C100 also provides mission-critical capabilities for public safety operations, closing the preparedness gap and giving front line forces an exponential edge.

"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."

Huntsville's rich history in missile production and rocketry provides a strong foundation for PDW to build the future of unmanned technology. With the establishment of DF01, PDW is introducing over 500 new jobs in the greater Huntsville area and spurring an economic impact totaling over $81 million per year. The state-of-the-art facility features production at scale, materials management and robust quality engineering capabilities. It also features 99.9% pathogen reduction via Lit Thinking's Visium Far-UVC devices, ensuring DF01 is the cleanest drone manufacturing facility in the world.

"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. Alabama is proud to stand alongside PDW as they advance innovation, strengthen our national defense and create opportunity for our people."

"Today is the day the least number of drones will exist in the world – it's all growth from here," continued 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."

About PDW: PDW is a drone technology company revolutionizing small robotics for military and government operations. PDW is committed to delivering secure, reliable, and NDAA compliant solutions for the defense industry. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, PDW strives to meet the evolving needs of the operator and support the defense community in achieving its objectives. For more information visit www.pdw.ai.

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SOURCE PDW