Defense company Anduril Industries Inc. said it plans to open a factory next year  in Rhode Island to produce 200 underwater drones annually.
Costa Mesa-based Anduril said in a statement the opening comes amid growing demand for the drones, formally called autonomous underwater vehicles. That includes an $18.6 million contract with the U.S. Navy.
“Our Maritime Division continues to develop advanced undersea capabilities and, with large contract awards both in the United States and Australia, we are committed to the mass manufacturing of those proven capabilities at speed and at scales that matter,” Anduril Senior Vice President Shane Arnott said in the statement.
