US-based uncrewed aerial vehicle developer Swarm Aero has opened an 80,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Centre in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with the capacity to produce thousands of large UAVs and create hundreds of high-skill aerospace jobs over the coming decade, according to an AeroMorning report.

The facility, located at Drake Field alongside Congressman Steve Womack, will serve as the primary production base for Swarm's large UAV systems. The company, headquartered in Oxnard, California, said its pioneering approach to composite airframe manufacturing enables production at volumes not achieved since the Second World War.

Danny Goodman, chief executive and co-founder of Swarm Aero, said: "We looked at over 20 states before deciding to put down manufacturing roots in Fayetteville, Arkansas. We chose Northwest Arkansas because of the exceptional talent and partners, and we're thrilled to continue our growth here."

Goodman added: "Large UAVs are the future of armed conflict. When paired with our swarm command and control software, they can achieve major combat objectives by cooperating with superhuman dexterity while being several times cheaper than traditional aircraft."

Nelson Peacock, president and chief executive of the Northwest Arkansas Council, said the facility would create meaningful, high-quality jobs and open new pathways for collaboration with universities, technical schools and workforce programmes in the region.

Swarm Aero was founded in 2022 and maintains locations in Spokane, Fayetteville and Washington DC in addition to its California headquarters. The company is backed by investors including Khosla Ventures, Founders Fund and Andreessen Horowitz. Swarm intends to double its aircraft engineering team during 2026 and is actively recruiting across the organisation.

Uncover the full scope of Swarm Aero's manufacturing ambitions in the complete report.