PDW Opens State-of-the-Art Drone Factory in Huntsville, Boosting Defense Innovation and Local Jobs
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., August 21, 2025 – Performance Drone Works (PDW) has launched Drone Factory 01 (DF01), a cutting-edge 90,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama, marking a significant milestone in the production of advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Strategically located near the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal, DF01 positions PDW as a leader in delivering battlefield-ready drones designed, engineered, and manufactured in the United States.
Advanced Manufacturing for National Defense
The new facility is purpose-built to support the rapid production of PDW’s flagship products: the C100 multi-mission UAS and the AM-FPV attritable munition. DF01 streamlines the entire production lifecycle—design, manufacturing, flight testing, and delivery—under one roof. With a production capacity of 350 C100s and 5,000 AM-FPVs per month, the facility addresses the growing demand from U.S. and allied forces for reliable, scalable, and mission-critical drone systems.
Ryan Gury, PDW’s CEO and co-founder, emphasized the facility’s role in national security: “Drone Factory 01 enables us to deliver technologically advanced, operationally capable systems to warfighters and first responders faster than ever. The evolving global threat landscape demands rapid innovation, and this facility ensures we stay ahead of the curve.”
Huntsville: A Hub for Innovation
Huntsville’s legacy in aerospace and defense manufacturing makes it an ideal location for PDW’s expansion. The facility’s proximity to Redstone Arsenal fosters collaboration with military partners, while the city’s innovation ecosystem supports PDW’s mission to redefine defense technology. James Slider, PDW’s COO and President, stated, “Huntsville is our edge. This facility showcases what’s possible when innovation, talent, and mission align.”
The C100 UAS, known for its modular architecture, supports a wide range of payloads for reconnaissance, extended range, and tactical impact. PDW has secured multiple U.S. Army contracts, including the Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) program and the Transformation in Contact Initiative, while also providing critical capabilities for public safety operations.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
Drone Factory 01 is set to create over 500 high-quality jobs in Huntsville, contributing an estimated $81 million annually to the local economy. The facility features advanced production systems, robust materials management, and cutting-edge quality engineering. Additionally, it incorporates Lit Thinking’s Visium Far-UVC technology, achieving a 99.9% pathogen reduction rate, making it one of the cleanest engineering environments globally.
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle praised PDW’s investment: “This facility strengthens Huntsville’s position as a hub for advanced manufacturing and aerospace. PDW’s growth brings high-quality jobs and drives economic prosperity, reinforcing our city’s role in national defense innovation.”
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey echoed this sentiment: “PDW’s Drone Factory 01 exemplifies Alabama’s leadership in cutting-edge manufacturing. By delivering critical technology and creating over 500 jobs, PDW is advancing both our national security and our state’s economic future.”
A Vision for the Future
PDW’s leadership sees DF01 as the first step in a broader strategy to establish American dominance in small UAS production. “Today marks the beginning of exponential growth in drone technology,” Gury said. “Drone Factory 01 is just the start. We’re already planning for DF02 and beyond to meet the global demand for military and public safety drones.”
About Performance Drone Works
Founded to revolutionize small robotics for military and government applications, PDW delivers secure, NDAA-compliant drone solutions. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, the company supports the evolving needs of defense and public safety operators. For more information, visit www.pdw.ai.
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