Anduril Industries, the maker of autonomous systems and weapons, announced that it has selected Columbus, Ohio, to host $1 billion hyperscale manufacturing facility, called Arsenal-1. The project marks a key milestone in renewing America’s defense industrial base. Construction will begin immediately pending approvals, with the facility producing starting July 2026.
Anduril didn’t choose Ohio by chance. They spent a year traveling across the country, exploring locations while Ohio’s skilled labor force, robust infrastructure, and aerospace and defense heritage attracted them. Anduril found their perfect fit in Pickaway County near Rickenbacker International Airport; the Arsenal-1 site spans 500 acres.
Equally enthusiastic, the Governor Mike DeWine said that Ohio’s workforce is ready for this technological challenge: “This is what Ohio and our nation need at this critical moment — technological pace, which Anduril will bring with Ohio’s skilled, hardworking labor force. The future of American air power will be built in Ohio.”
When Arsenal-1 is at full pace, several thousand autonomous systems and weapons will be churned out every year. It will have 5 million square feet of manufacturing space, while another 500 acres are available for further expansion. It’s designed to adapt and expand as defense needs change over time.
“Arsenal-1 marks a significant advancement in the design and production of autonomous systems and weapons essential for the security of our nation and allies,” said Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf. “By combining a world-class workforce with a scalable, software-driven approach, Arsenal-1 is setting a new benchmark for defense manufacturing.”
The Economic Impact
A transformational story for the Ohio economy lies behind these numbers: Anduril will create more than 4,000 new jobs, making this the single largest job creation project in state history, while the Ohio Department of Development projects $2 billion in economic activity and $800 million in tax revenue from impacts that will reach throughout the state.
Investment like this reinforces Ohio’s position as a leader in advanced technology and in national security, said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. You can’t have ‘Made in America’ without having ‘Made in Ohio,’ he said.
But this is more than just a new factory; it’s part of rebuilding what’s known as the “arsenal of democracy,” carrying on Ohio’s proud tradition in aviation, aerospace, and defense. Once the final approvals come through, Arsenal-1 aims at strengthening America’s military capabilities with a modern, efficient facility ready to meet today’s global challenges.
Anduril’s Arsenal-1 Facility in Ohio: Factsheet
Project Overview
Location: Pickaway County, Columbus, Ohio
Investment: $1 billion
Total Area: 500 acres (plus 500 acres for future expansion)
Facility Size: 5 million square feet at full capacity
Production Start: Targeted for July 2026
Employment: 4,000+ direct jobs
Strategic Location Features
Adjacent to Rickenbacker International Airport
Access to two 12,000-foot runways
75-acre private apron
Optimized for global delivery capabilities
Arsenal-1 Facility in Ohio: Economic Impact
Projected $2 billion in economic activity
Estimated $800 million in tax revenue
Largest single job-creation initiative in Ohio’s history
Read also: Over 700 jobs to be created in new US$1.1 billion solar manufacturing facility, Louisiana
Manufacturing Capabilities
Production Scope: Autonomous systems, weapons, and sensors
Scale: Tens of thousands of military systems annually
Focus: Full-spectrum defense manufacturing facility
Approach: Software-driven manufacturing processes
Site Selection Factors
Highly skilled employee base availability
Strong aerospace and defense heritage
Robust infrastructure
Strategic transportation access
Expansion potential
Anduril’s Arsenal-1 Facility in Ohio: Project Status
Construction: Pending final approvals and permits
Implementation: Immediate construction start planned
Timeline: Initial production targeted for mid-2026
Read also: Ground breaking at Micron chip manufacturing facility, Idaho
