PICKAWAY COUNTY, Ohio : One year after unveiling plans for a large-scale defense manufacturing complex in central Ohio, U.S. defense technology firm Anduril has confirmed that construction of its Arsenal-1 campus is underway, marking the transition of the project from planning to execution.
The company said work has begun on Building 1, the first major structure on the Arsenal-1 site. The building will contain approximately 775,000 square feet of manufacturing and production space, along with an additional 120,000 square feet dedicated to offices, engineering support, and operational functions. Building 1 is intended to support initial production activities and early-stage operations as the campus ramps up.
Anduril also confirmed that Building 2 broke ground in the summer of last year. That structure, measuring more than 924,000 square feet, has progressed to the vertical construction phase, with exterior walls being erected and preparations underway for interior buildout. According to the company, both facilities are being developed as part of a long-term, phased construction strategy rather than a single, simultaneous build.
Long-Term Development Plan
Arsenal-1, located in Pickaway County, is governed by a finalized site plan that outlines a staggered development schedule extending through 2035. Under this plan, the campus will be built out over approximately 10 years, with facilities coming online incrementally to align manufacturing capacity with program demand.
Planned additions include further manufacturing and warehouse buildings, a centralized production and logistics hub, a dedicated electrical substation, operational support facilities, internal road networks, and a campus amenities building. Anduril said the phased approach is designed to allow flexible scaling of production rather than opening the full site at once.
The company is coordinating with Pickaway County officials and Ohio state transportation and engineering agencies on road access, traffic flow, and supporting infrastructure. Anduril said these efforts are being paired with increased engagement with local community organizations, educational institutions, and workforce partners as part of establishing a sustained regional presence.
Workforce Expansion in Ohio
Anduril said Arsenal-1 is expected to become a significant source of employment in Ohio as operations expand. The first group of 25 Ohio-based employees was hired in July and sent to the company’s California headquarters for training. These employees, largely assigned to technical manufacturing and production roles, have begun returning to Ohio to support early operations and onboarding at Building 1.
According to the company, more than 50 employees were hired specifically for Arsenal-1 during 2025, with additional hiring underway for future cohorts as construction progresses and production timelines approach. Anduril also announced several leadership appointments tied to its Ohio operations, including a vice president of production, a director of state and local government relations, and a director of external affairs, all based in central Ohio.
Initial Production Program
The first system scheduled for production at Arsenal-1 is the YFQ-44A, a mission-configured variant of Anduril’s Fury autonomous aircraft. The platform was developed for the U.S. Air Force as part of the service’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
Anduril said the YFQ-44A moved from initial design to a fully built aircraft in 365 days. Flight testing began in October, and the company plans to initiate production in Building 1 during the second quarter of the year. The aircraft is intended to operate as part of a manned-unmanned team, supporting crewed aircraft in a range of missions.
Role of Arsenal-1
According to Anduril, Arsenal-1 is designed to serve as a cornerstone of a broader manufacturing model focused on domestic production capacity and rapid scaling for defense programs. The company said multiple additional programs are expected to transition to the Ohio site over the next 12 months as facilities come online.
Anduril characterized the project as a long-term investment in U.S. industrial infrastructure and workforce development, with further updates planned as construction advances and the campus moves toward initial operational status.
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