Huntsville-based defense company opens new drone factory

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Performance Drone Works has opened a new drone manufacturing facility in Research Park.

The 90,000-square-foot factory develops several types of drones, like a C100, which is being used by the Army.

“The C100 is essentially replacing air support, so from a backpack of a soldier, they can deliver ordnance, they could do resupply,” said PDW CEO and Co-founder Ryan Gury. “Recently, we were shooting precision missiles with the F-35. Right. So it allows a single unit to deploy, you know, any variety of missions across the front line.”

Gury said he believes this technology will play a significant role in the future of war fighting. He pointed to the use of drones by Ukrainian forces against Russia.

“PDW’s mission is creating attributable robotics to be spread to front line operators everywhere in the world,” Gury said.

He said the company’s drones are meant to be portable tools for surveillance and are easy to use by troops in combat areas.

PDW manufactures drones in its entirety in its Huntsville facility. Company leadership said they believe in the importance of producing drones domestically. PDW Co-founder Matt Higgins said Chinese companies currently dominate the drone industry.

“They had the foresight to realize the future of warfare will involve these small drones,” Higgins said. “So, we need to ensure, on U.S. soil, that we have the best drone technology, that we have a domestic supply chain, and that we’re ready. We need many PDW, but today’s an important first start.”

The company currently employs about 200 people. Over the next few years, Gury said he expects they will hire 300 more people for their Huntsville facility.