Skydio has announced plans to invest $3.5bn in the United States over the next five years, as it looks to scale domestic manufacturing, accelerate research and development, and reinforce American supply chains for unmanned aerial systems.
The investment is expected to create more than 2,000 new jobs within the company, alongside a further 3,000 roles across its wider supply chain. More than $1bn of the funding will be directed towards domestic suppliers, underlining a broader push to localise production and reduce reliance on overseas components.
Skydio, which describes itself as the largest U.S.-based drone manufacturer, has already established a significant footprint in the global market. The company has shipped over 60,000 drones to more than 3,800 customers, including public safety agencies, all branches of the U.S. military, and allied nations, as well as hundreds of utility and energy firms.
A central pillar of the investment is “SkyForge”, a new initiative aimed at strengthening domestic capability in drone manufacturing. As part of the programme, Skydio plans to open a new U.S. production facility five times larger than its current space, marking its fifth manufacturing expansion in just eight years.
The company said the new facility will support growing demand for dual-use drone technologies, while also enabling closer collaboration with suppliers. Selected partners will be invited to co-locate production capacity alongside Skydio’s operations, giving them access to engineering expertise and infrastructure to accelerate development of critical components.
This approach is designed not only to scale Skydio’s own output, but also to help build a broader ecosystem of domestic suppliers capable of supporting advanced drone production at scale.
Adam Bry, co-founder and CEO of Skydio, positioned the investment within a wider narrative of American industrial capability and technological leadership.
“Skydio has proven that American companies can compete and win in the civilian drone market against products from our adversaries,” he said, pointing to the country’s historical track record in aviation and advanced manufacturing.
The announcement comes amid increasing geopolitical focus on securing supply chains for critical technologies, particularly in sectors such as defence, energy and infrastructure. By expanding its U.S. manufacturing base and investing heavily in domestic suppliers, Skydio is aiming to strengthen resilience while capitalising on rising demand for autonomous aerial systems.
The move also reflects a growing trend among advanced manufacturers to reshore production and invest in localised ecosystems, combining industrial capacity with innovation to maintain competitiveness in strategically important markets.
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