Anduril Industries is planning a major new manufacturing complex in Maryland to support the US submarine industrial base. Known as Arsenal-2, the project will receive $3.7 billion in company investment and is backed by a US Navy contract worth up to $2.9 billion, bringing the combined commitment to $6.6 billion. The facility will be built at Tradepoint Atlantic in Baltimore County.Arsenal-2 will produce components and large structural assemblies for Virginia-class attack submarines before transferring them to General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding for final construction. The development is planned for a 187-acre (75-hectare) site and will contain more than 2 million square feet of space. Planned features include high-bay assembly buildings, fabrication zones, reconfigurable production lines and a 1,200-foot (365-meter) graving dock, supported by road, rail and maritime access at Sparrows Point.By adding another manufacturing source, Anduril aims to supplement the work of the two existing Virginia-class submarine builders and enable more production tasks to occur simultaneously. The company forecasts over 3,100 direct jobs and more than 11,000 indirect jobs. Operations are expected to begin in 2030, followed by a gradual increase in output as the workforce, supply chain and manufacturing systems expand.Digital production management will be handled by ArsenalOS, Anduril’s manufacturing execution software. It is designed to connect shop-floor operations rather than replace conventional submarine design tools. At Arsenal-2, the software will link fabrication, assembly and outfitting activities with material handling, inspections and production documentation, giving managers and workers a live picture of progress.The system is also intended to integrate digital instructions and quality checks directly into production. Data from sensors and automated equipment can be incorporated into manufacturing workflows, while skilled personnel such as welders, electricians, pipefitters, shipfitters and inspectors remain responsible for the hands-on work.
