Unmanned vessel manufacturer Saronic is embarking on one of the largest growth initiatives in its short history, announcing a $300 million expansion of its Louisiana shipyard to dramatically scale production of advanced unmanned surface vessels for the U.S. Navy.
The Austin, Texas-based robotics company purchased the former Gulf Craft shipyard in April with the goal of moving beyond its current portfolio of small USVs and into the manufacturing of significantly larger autonomous platforms. That transition is now accelerating with a construction program that will expand the facility into a major production hub for next-generation unmanned technology.
According to a statement released Wednesday, “The company broke ground on the new construction project in November 2025, which will add more than 300,000 square feet of new production capacity. The project is slated for completion by the end of 2026, with expanded operations coming online in early 2027.”
The expansion plan includes substantial upgrades designed to support the production of larger unmanned vessels. “As part of the shipyard expansion, Saronic will construct three new slips, expand its warehouse and develop a dedicated production line for large-vessel assembly,” the company said.
The centerpiece of the expansion is Saronic’s 180-foot Marauder concept—a large unmanned surface vessel designed to serve as both a sensor platform and an adjunct magazine for U.S. Navy warships. The vessel is part of the Navy’s evolving distributed maritime operations strategy, which depends heavily on autonomous platforms to extend the range, sensing, and firepower of traditional crewed ships.
Saronic has built momentum for the program in recent months. The company had a keel-laying ceremony for the first Marauder in August and is currently building two vessels at the former Gulf Coast yard, according to a report in WorkBoat.
The company emphasized its strong team of industry partners supporting the expansion. “Saronic is collaborating with industry leaders JacobsWyper Architects, P2S, KPFF, JE Dunn and Alberici on the design and construction,” reads the company statement.
The new shipyard development will also bring a significant economic impact to the region. The company said the project will create 1,500 new jobs, though the announcement did not specify how many will be tied directly to shipbuilding versus construction and infrastructure work. These roles will be in addition to the approximately 100 employees already on-site.
For Louisiana, the expansion strengthens the state’s growing presence in maritime technology and shipbuilding, tapping into a workforce historically connected to Gulf Coast vessel construction.
Founded just three years ago in 2022, Saronic has rapidly positioned itself as a key player in the autonomous naval systems space. The company builds unmanned surface craft and develops the specialized software that powers their autonomous functions. Its work has attracted strong federal interest as the Pentagon pushes modernization of its surface fleet.
In May, Saronic secured a notable government award: an “other transaction authority” contract from the Naval Sea Systems Command for small surface craft. Federal spending data shows that about $196.6 million has been obligated to the company to date, underscoring the Navy’s commitment to unmanned capabilities.
The new shipyard will allow Saronic to scale much faster, meeting rising defense demand for larger USVs and diversifying its manufacturing portfolio.
With groundbreaking complete and construction underway, Saronic expects to fully open the expanded yard in early 2027. The added production space, new vessel slips, expanded warehouse and dedicated assembly line will enable the company to build more complex vessels like the Marauder at scale.
The expansion marks a major leap forward for Saronic and signals the accelerating pace at which U.S. maritime defense is embracing autonomous technology. As the Navy seeks distributed, resilient fleet architecture, companies like Saronic are positioning themselves to become long-term industrial partners in that evolution.
Originally reported by Sam LaGrone in USNI.
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