Swarm Aero Opens Large Drone Production Hub in Arkansas

Why It Matters

The low‑cost, high‑volume UAV capability could reshape U.S. military air strategy by providing affordable swarm options, while the Arkansas plant bolsters domestic defense manufacturing and regional economic growth.

Key Takeaways

• 80,000‑sq‑ft facility in Arkansas for large UAVs
• Facility aims to produce thousands of Group 5 UAVs annually
• UAVs target cost below MQ‑9 Reaper, Pentagon interest
• Composite manufacturing enables WWII‑scale production volumes
• Hundreds of high‑skill aerospace jobs expected over decade

Pulse Analysis

The defense aerospace sector is increasingly focused on swarming technology as a force multiplier, and the Pentagon’s push for cheaper autonomous platforms has accelerated interest in large‑UAV solutions. Swarm Aero’s Group 5 concept, priced below the legacy MQ‑9 Reaper, promises comparable payload and endurance while leveraging coordinated swarm algorithms, potentially redefining how the U.S. conducts persistent surveillance and strike missions.

By situating its 80,000‑square‑foot Advanced Manufacturing Center in Fayetteville, Swarm Aero taps into Arkansas’s growing talent pool and favorable logistics network. The plant’s use of advanced composite airframe techniques enables production rates reminiscent of World War II‑era factories, a stark contrast to the low‑volume, hand‑built processes typical of traditional aerospace firms. This scale not only drives down unit costs but also creates hundreds of high‑skill jobs, reinforcing the region’s reputation as an emerging hub for next‑generation aerospace manufacturing.

Looking ahead, the Arkansas hub positions Swarm Aero to meet escalating demand from the Department of Defense and allied partners seeking affordable swarm capabilities. As the company doubles its engineering staff in 2026, it can accelerate integration of command‑and‑control software and expand its product line. The broader industry may see a shift toward modular, mass‑produced UAVs, prompting legacy manufacturers to revisit their cost structures and supply chains to stay competitive in a market that increasingly values rapid, low‑cost deployment of autonomous air assets.

Swarm Aero opens large drone production hub in Arkansas

By Dylan Malyasov · Feb 19, 2026 (Modified Feb 19, 2026)

• Swarm Aero opened an 80,000‑square‑foot manufacturing facility in Arkansas to produce large unmanned aerial vehicles at scale.

• The company is developing a swarming Group 5 UAV designed to cost less than the MQ‑9 while supporting Pentagon interest in lower‑cost autonomous airpower.

Swarm Aero announced the opening of its Advanced Manufacturing Center on Feb. 17, 2026, at Drake Field in Fayetteville, Arkansas, marking the launch of an 80,000‑square‑foot facility designed to produce large uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms, the company said during a ribbon‑cutting event attended by Congressman Steve Womack.

According to the company, the Arkansas facility will have the capacity to produce thousands of UAVs and is expected to create hundreds of high‑skill aerospace jobs over the next decade. The site represents Swarm Aero’s primary manufacturing hub for large uncrewed aircraft systems and associated swarm command‑and‑control software integration.

“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,” said Danny Goodman, chief executive officer and co‑founder of Swarm Aero. “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. This is one of the most consequential developments in modern conflict and we have built an exceptionally talented engineering team to bring this vision to life.”

The company is developing what it describes as the first swarming Group 5 UAV designed to cost less than the MQ‑9 Reaper while delivering comparable operational capability, an area receiving active interest from the Pentagon as it evaluates lower‑cost autonomous airpower concepts. Group 5 UAVs represent the largest category of unmanned aircraft, typically capable of long‑endurance missions at high altitude and carrying substantial payloads.

Swarm Aero was co‑founded by three executives with backgrounds spanning defense technology, policy, and advanced aerospace engineering. Danny Goodman previously served as co‑founder and chief technology officer of Vannevar Labs. Oliver Parker formerly led China and Taiwan portfolio groups inside the U.S. Department of War. Peter Kalogiannis previously led development of the Vahana electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft platform at Airbus.

Swarm Aero develops large uncrewed aircraft designed to operate in coordinated swarms using proprietary command‑and‑control software. The company said its production approach focuses on composite airframe manufacturing techniques that allow higher‑volume output than traditional aerospace fabrication methods.

The Advanced Manufacturing Center will support end‑to‑end aircraft assembly, systems integration, and composite structure production. As noted by the company, its approach to composite airframes enables manufacturing volumes not seen since World War II, reflecting an industrial‑scale model tailored to autonomous air systems.

“Swarm’s decision to open their manufacturing facility in Northwest Arkansas reinforces what we know to be true: our region is a destination for advanced manufacturing and next‑generation aerospace innovation,” said Nelson Peacock, president and chief executive officer of the Northwest Arkansas Council. “Swarm’s presence here will create meaningful, high‑quality jobs while opening new pathways for collaboration with our universities, technical schools, and workforce programs. Just as importantly, Swarm’s mission strengthens the role our region can play in supporting technologies that are critical to America’s national security and industrial resilience. We are proud to welcome Swarm to Northwest Arkansas and look forward to supporting their growth as part of our community.”

The company stated that its mission is to renew American air power by producing large uncrewed aircraft capable of supporting U.S. and allied defense operations without placing pilots at risk. The Fayetteville site is intended to serve as the foundation for scaling production and expanding engineering capacity.

Swarm Aero said it plans to double its aircraft team in 2026 and is actively hiring across multiple disciplines to support manufacturing and engineering growth tied to the new facility.