UK company helps operators detect, track and classify airborne threats; US manufacturing is planned for 2026
OpenWorks Engineering has opened a US regional headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia. The UK-based company also plans to open a manufacturing facility in Detroit, Michigan, before the end of 2026.
The expansion gives OpenWorks a larger presence in a market it has served for more than a decade. The company develops optical systems that help operators detect, track and classify drones and other airborne threats.
OpenWorks has named Chris Bigwood executive vice president for business development and corporate strategy in North America. Bigwood previously served as chief revenue officer at Clear Align. He will also lead plans for the Detroit facility.
Growth Drives US Expansion
OpenWorks said adoption of its products grew fourfold between 2025 and mid-2026. It also reported a 2.75-fold increase in production capacity for Vision Flex over the past year. Vision Flex is a modular surveillance system designed for deployment in a range of settings.
The company said its workforce has grown from 26 employees in 2024 to 125. It invested more than $2.7 million in research and development over the past year, according to its announcement.
OpenWorks already works with US defense and security companies, including Echodyne, Epirus, Anduril Industries and Fortem Technologies. It said it recently trained FBI operators on its technology.
“This expansion is a natural next step in our mission to continue to protect the territory and airspace of NATO Nations and their Allies. As engineers-first, we are excited to have a physical location in a market that is so passionate about increasing homegrown manufacturing and engineering excellence,” said OpenWorks Engineering CEO Chris Down. “Over the last decade, we have fostered long-standing, trusted relationships with U.S. end-users, integrators and system partners. This headquarters is a milestone in furthering our commitment to them, and a growing range of customers with increasing demand for C-UAS and Air Defense capabilities.”
The Virginia headquarters is open. OpenWorks has announced its Detroit manufacturing plans but has not yet reported that production has begun there.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
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