Anduril Industries has unveiled plans for a US$3.7 billion shipyard at Tradepoint Atlantic in Baltimore County, Maryland, to manufacture components and large assemblies for the US Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarines.
For the project, the navy has given Anduril a contract valued at as much as US$2.9 billion. Anduril said its US$3.7 billion commitment would be private capital, while navy payments will be tied to demonstrated production outcomes.
“This contract structure ensures that Anduril, not the taxpayer, takes on the majority of the execution risk, aligning incentives to ensure on-time, high-quality submarine production,” the company said.
The facility will supply General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding, which will continue final submarine assembly.
The facility is scheduled to begin operating in 2030; output is then expected to grow as Anduril develops the necessary staff, suppliers, infrastructure and manufacturing capacity.
The proposed 187-acre (76-hectare) yard at the Sparrows Point complex will include more than two million square feet (190,000 square metres) of production space, fabrication and assembly areas, high-bay halls, reconfigurable production lines and a 1,200-foot (370-metre) graving dock.
Anduril said permitting and site preparation will begin immediately, with construction to start once approvals are secured.
Before the Maryland facility opens, Anduril plans to use a new 160,000-square-foot (15,000-square-metre) facility in Orange County, California, to develop its production processes, manufacturing workflows and quality controls.
The facility will be used to prototype and manufacture Virginia-class test assets and components, including torpedo tubes, and to carry out associated qualification work.
Anduril said this would give it two years to prepare for operations.
The Maryland Department of Commerce said the state and county have pledged matching support of up to 13 per cent of Anduril’s expected private investment, using existing incentives and new appropriations.
New appropriations require approval from the Maryland General Assembly and Baltimore County Council.
The package also provides capital support for a workforce-training centre to be located at or near Tradepoint Atlantic.
