Leonardo DRS Inaugurates Advanced Naval Power and Propulsion Manufacturing Facility in Charleston, South Carolina
Leonardo DRS has officially opened a new, state-of-the-art naval power and propulsion manufacturing and testing facility in Charleston, South Carolina, marking a major milestone in the company’s long-term commitment to strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base. Spanning more than 140,000 square feet, the new facility represents a significant strategic investment aimed at expanding domestic production capacity and supporting critical U.S. Navy shipbuilding and submarine programs, including the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine initiative.
The Charleston facility is designed to meet the growing demand for advanced naval power and propulsion systems as the U.S. Navy modernizes its fleet to address evolving operational requirements. With a focus on scalability, efficiency, and precision, the site enhances Leonardo DRS’s ability to deliver complex, mission-critical systems with greater speed and reliability.
Purpose-Built for Advanced Manufacturing and Testing
The newly opened facility has been purpose-built to support the full lifecycle of naval power and propulsion systems, including manufacturing, final assembly, system integration, and comprehensive testing. It is specifically equipped to handle large and highly complex components that form the backbone of modern naval electric power and propulsion architectures.
In addition to electric propulsion and power generation systems, the Charleston site supports the design, manufacturing, and testing of advanced naval steam turbine systems. This expanded capability strengthens Leonardo DRS’s position as a key supplier of integrated propulsion solutions for submarines and surface combatants, ensuring the company can meet stringent performance, safety, and reliability requirements imposed by naval operations.
The facility’s modern layout and advanced manufacturing infrastructure are designed to streamline production workflows, improve quality assurance, and enable rapid adaptation to program-specific needs. This approach supports both current naval programs and future platform developments as next-generation vessels place increasing demands on onboard power generation and distribution.
Strengthening the U.S. Defense Industrial Base
Leonardo DRS leadership emphasized the broader national importance of the Charleston facility, highlighting its role in reinforcing domestic manufacturing capabilities critical to U.S. defense readiness.
Jon Miller, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems business unit, described the facility as a strategic asset for the nation. He noted that the investment directly supports the U.S. Navy’s efforts to expand production capacity across the submarine and shipbuilding industrial base. According to Miller, the new site enables Leonardo DRS to increase output, optimize production processes, and respond more rapidly to evolving fleet requirements while maintaining the highest standards of quality and performance.
By consolidating advanced manufacturing and testing under one roof, the Charleston facility enhances coordination across engineering, production, and quality teams, reducing program risk and improving delivery timelines for critical naval systems.
Supporting Expanding U.S. Military Capabilities
John Baylouny, President and Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo DRS, underscored the alignment of the investment with Department of Defense priorities. He pointed to the Pentagon’s clear emphasis on strengthening and expanding the defense industrial base as a key driver behind the new facility.
Baylouny stated that increasing production capacity and modernizing manufacturing infrastructure are essential to ensuring the U.S. military maintains reliable access to critical capabilities. The Charleston facility, he explained, allows Leonardo DRS to deliver those capabilities at scale, with the schedule predictability and performance assurance required to support national security objectives.
The facility also contributes to regional economic development by creating highly skilled manufacturing and engineering jobs while reinforcing South Carolina’s growing role in the U.S. defense manufacturing ecosystem.
Meeting the Demands of Next-Generation Naval Power Systems
As naval platforms become increasingly reliant on power-intensive technologies, the need for robust and scalable integrated power systems continues to grow. Modern warships and submarines must support advanced sensors, high-performance computing, communications systems, and emerging weapon technologies, including directed-energy systems.
The Charleston facility positions Leonardo DRS to address these challenges by delivering integrated power architectures capable of supporting both current and future naval missions. The company’s systems are designed to provide flexible, resilient, and efficient power generation and distribution, ensuring vessels can adapt to evolving operational demands throughout their service life.
This capability is particularly critical for next-generation surface combatants and submarines, where power availability and reliability are directly linked to mission effectiveness and survivability.
Advanced Solutions for Maritime and Battlefield Environments
Leonardo DRS brings decades of experience in designing and delivering advanced power and propulsion solutions for some of the most demanding maritime and battlefield environments. The company’s portfolio includes electric propulsion systems, hybrid electric drives, onboard power solutions, and technologies supporting high-energy sensors and computing systems.
These solutions play a key role in major U.S. Navy programs, including the Columbia-class submarine, where reliability, stealth, and performance are paramount. By expanding its manufacturing and testing footprint in Charleston, Leonardo DRS strengthens its ability to support these programs while preparing for future naval requirements.
The new facility reflects Leonardo DRS’s continued investment in innovation, domestic manufacturing, and long-term partnerships with the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense. As naval power systems evolve to meet the demands of modern warfare, the Charleston site stands as a critical enabler of the next generation of U.S. maritime capabilities.
About Leonardo DRS
Leonardo DRS Inc. (Nasdaq: DRS) is a leader in developing transformative defense technologies, providing high-performance solutions for U.S. national security and allied forces worldwide. The company specializes in advanced sensing, network computing, force protection, and electric power and propulsion. Renowned for its agility and innovative approach, Leonardo DRS delivers quality and meets the most demanding mission requirements.
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