News Summary Performance Drone Works has opened its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, Drone Factory 01, in Huntsville, Alabama. This 90,000-square-foot facility aims to produce 60,000 drones annually, addressing the critical reliance on foreign-made drones by law enforcement. With plans to hire over 500 workers and an estimated $81 million economic impact, PDW seeks to bolster America’s drone technology and supply chain. The facility emphasizes high cleanliness standards and will support both defense and commercial markets, highlighting Huntsville’s significance in the aerospace sector. Huntsville, Alabama – Performance Drone Works (PDW) launched its new manufacturing facility, Drone Factory 01, in Huntsville on Wednesday. This 90,000-square-foot facility marks a significant step for PDW as it began manufacturing drones on July 1, with plans to produce 60,000 drones annually. According to Ryan Gury, CEO and co-founder of PDW, the company is determined to position itself as a leading player in the U.S. drone market, particularly in light of the competition posed by China. Gury emphasized the ongoing challenges from Chinese manufacturers, describing their actions as a campaign of economic sabotage against the U.S. drone sector. PDW’s mission is to ensure that America not only has the best drone technology but also a robust domestic supply chain. Currently, approximately 90% of U.S. law enforcement agencies rely on Chinese-made drones, highlighting a critical dependency that PDW aims to change. The company is looking to reduce this dependency by providing American-made alternatives with advanced capabilities. PDW is also in the process of hiring over 500 workers for its Huntsville facility, with starting salaries expected to exceed $100,000 per year. The economic impact of PDW’s new operation is projected to be considerable, with an estimated annual contribution of $81 million to the northern Alabama economy. PDW already supports the U.S. Army through its existing C100 platform and plans to launch the AM10 platform soon, an affordable $3,500 multimotored drone. Furthermore, the company has various ongoing contracts with the U.S. Army, including significant projects such as the Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) program. The C100 platform is also designed to assist in public safety operations, providing essential capabilities for mission-critical tasks. The state-of-the-art facility at Huntsville offers comprehensive production capabilities, incorporating materials management and robust quality engineering to ensure the highest standards. One notable feature of this facility is the use of Lit Thinking’s Visium Far-UVC devices, which achieve a pathogen reduction rate of 99.9%, making it one of the cleanest engineering facilities in the world. This focus on cleanliness and technology is crucial for producing high-quality drones that meet both defense and commercial needs. Huntsville’s city officials view PDW’s expansion as more than just an investment in manufacturing; it serves as an economic catalyst for the region, reinforcing Huntsville’s position as a hub for the defense and aerospace sectors. The company started with a mere 12 employees at the Stovehouse entertainment venue and initially focused on producing drones for a racing league, showcasing its rapid growth and technological advancements. With its new facility, PDW is bringing the entire lifecycle of drone production—ranging from design and manufacturing to testing and delivery—under one roof. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has lauded PDW’s innovative technology, noting that it plays a vital role in supporting national defense and generating high-quality job opportunities in the area. This extensive growth of Performance Drone Works reflects not only its commitment to advancing drone technology but also highlights Huntsville’s strategic importance in the national defense landscape and its role in the evolving drone manufacturing industry. Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic AL.com Wikipedia: Drone Made in Alabama Google Search: drone manufacturing WHNT News Encyclopedia Britannica: Drone Technology Axios Google Scholar: drone technology Rocket City Now Google News: Performance Drone Works
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
