Leonardo DRS completed another milestone towards opening its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility allowing the company to grow its naval propulsion capability for priority U.S. Navy submarine and ship programs, here in Charleston, South Carolina.
In what is called a “Topping Out Ceremony,” Leonardo DRS employees signed the final support beam for the roof of the manufacturing facility before it was hoisted into place by a construction crane as the team prepares for the next stage of building out the site.
In remarks to assembled employees and construction workers, Jon Miller, senior vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems business said, “Today marks a significant milestone in bringing the unique capabilities of this new facility one step closer to being a national asset capable of addressing the Navy’s current and future needs as the service modernizes and expands its fleet.” He continued, “We are proud that this facility will support the U.S. Navy in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our nation’s submarine industrial base with respect to capacity needed to deliver critical capability, on-time and on-budget.”
When complete, the facility will have more than 140,000 square feet of purpose-built advanced manufacturing, assembly and testing space to build, integrate and test large components for the company’s advanced naval electric propulsion systems, including those for the new Columbia-Class ballistic missile submarine. The facility is also expected to support additional U.S. Navy submarine and ship power and propulsion requirements, including steam turbine system design, manufacture, integration, and test capabilities.
The facility is expected to open in 2026, and will play an important role in spurring economic growth in the region through building a network of regional business partners, universities and other organizations that will work closely with Leonardo DRS.
“We are excited to become part of the Charleston community as the region builds on its important role of supporting the men and women of our armed forces,” Miller said.