COLUMBUS, Ohio — Anduril Industries has quietly begun construction on its much-anticipated Arsenal-1 manufacturing campus near Rickenbacker Airport, a company spokesperson confirmed to NBC4. The program of earthmoving and site preparation has been underway for several months, the spokesperson said, and crews recently started leveling the footprint for a second building at the site.
Anduril announced the Ohio investment in January and described Arsenal-1 as a major step to build drones and other aerial systems in the U.S. The company originally signaled a July 2026 target to begin manufacturing in Pickaway County; however, Anduril did not say when construction actually started or whether that July 2026 opening date remains achievable.
Arsenal-1 is billed by officials as the largest single job-creation investment in Ohio history — a campus that could bring roughly 4,000 jobs to the region. By comparison, Intel’s large Licking County semiconductor project previously held that title and was accompanied by a high-profile ceremonial groundbreaking in 2022. JobsOhio told NBC4 it’s not unusual for private developers to begin work without a public celebration.
The project is framed internally as part of a national industrial effort. Company materials for the plant describe its mission to help “America Rebuild the Arsenal” by producing tens of thousands of autonomous aerial systems for the U.S. military and allied partners. Anduril executives have said the Ohio facility will focus primarily on aerial platforms, while other manufacturing for maritime systems (such as recently sold autonomous submarines) will be produced elsewhere.
Anduril has already begun recruiting in the Columbus area for roles spanning engineering, logistics, operations, talent and communications. The company confirmed that an initial cohort — dubbed the Fury Launch Team — arrived at Anduril headquarters for a six-month training program this summer, part of an early workforce development effort designed to seed the Ohio operation.
Company officials and state leaders have emphasized the local economic benefits. The construction and long-term operations are expected to drive direct hires at the plant and multiplier effects across supply chains, logistics, professional services and support businesses in the Rickenbacker/Franklin-Pickaway region. Local contractors and suppliers could see an early uptick as site work, utilities, build-out and specialized facilities come online.
But the project’s profile raises issues that often accompany large defense-sector investments:
Anduril declined to confirm whether the original July 2026 manufacturing target still stands now that construction began quietly months earlier. Large defense-manufacturing projects commonly face permitting, long-lead equipment, staffing and regulatory hurdles that can shift schedules.
Anduril’s training push — including the Fury Launch Team — suggests the company is investing to close a skills gap by training hires directly. That model reduces dependence on an already tight local labor market but requires sufficient training capacity and retention strategies.
Building advanced autonomous systems requires a range of components, from composite structures and sensors to sophisticated electrical and software systems. How much of that supply base will develop locally — versus be sourced from other U.S. sites or foreign suppliers — will affect both jobs and national-security considerations.
Arsenal-1’s stated role producing systems for allies means export compliance, ITAR restrictions and government oversight will be an ongoing part of plant operations. Those controls influence who can work on particular systems and where they can be shipped.
Local residents and officials will watch traffic, noise, safety plans and environmental reviews as construction advances. JobsOhio’s earlier comments noted that many firms start work discreetly while finalizing permits and logistics.
Anduril has previously said it already supplies autonomous systems to U.S. forces and partners, including deliveries to Ukraine and recent exports to Australia (the latter to be manufactured in Australia). At a national level, the Ohio plant fits into broader U.S. policy aims to expand domestic production of advanced defense capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains for critical systems.
As site work continues, Anduril’s next public steps are likely to include permitting milestones, hiring waves tied to construction phases, and clearer production schedules. For now, the company’s confirmation that construction has been underway — plus the arrival of its first Ohio hires for training — signals that Arsenal-1 is moving from announcement to physical reality.
the company would not confirm an updated opening date for production, the full build-out timeline for additional buildings, or granular details on the first production lines planned at the site. Local officials and Anduril representatives will be the best sources for future timetable and community-impact updates as the project advances.
Originally reported by Katie Milard in NBC 4 Today.
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