New 56,000-square-foot Virginia facility launches a planned nationwide UAS manufacturing networ
Heven AeroTech has opened a 56,000-square-foot production facility in Winchester, Virginia. The site is the company’s first manufacturing operation on the East Coast.
The facility launches a planned national network for producing hydrogen-powered unmanned aircraft systems. It also expands Heven AeroTech’s existing manufacturing base in the Columbia River Gorge.
The company said the network will support higher production volumes and strengthen its domestic supply chain. Heven AeroTech develops runway-independent drones for defense, commercial, and humanitarian missions.
“U.S. national security demands a resilient, sovereign technology base capable of scaling beyond prototyping,” said Bentzion Levinson, Founder and CEO of Heven AeroTech. “The launch of Heven AeroTech’s coast-to-coast manufacturing network transitions hydrogen-powered UAS from boutique production to an industrialized, highly repeatable capability, aligning directly with the deployment mandates of our defense partners.”
Building a National Manufacturing Model
Heven AeroTech plans to use the Virginia operation as a model for future sites across the country. Each facility will include hydrogen propulsion manufacturing capabilities.
Long-term plans also call for hydrogen research laboratories and automated manufacturing systems. The company may also reserve space for other technology providers at these locations.
Heven AeroTech said it established the Winchester facility within 90 days.
“By standing up our first East Coast facility within 90 days, we are proving that domestic UAS manufacturing can move at tactical speed to meet the immediate and emerging needs of those carrying out critical missions,” said Michael Buscher, President of Heven AeroTech USA.
The new operation will produce the company’s Z1 hydrogen-powered drone. The aircraft appears on the Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS Select list.
According to Heven AeroTech, the vertical takeoff and landing aircraft can fly for more than 10 hours. It can carry payloads weighing up to 10 pounds. The company also lists a maximum takeoff weight of 55 pounds and a cruise speed of 64 mph.
The Z1 supports missions including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, infrastructure monitoring, and emergency response. Its modular design allows operators to change payloads for different assignments.
Beyond Z1 production, the Virginia facility will help Heven AeroTech establish common processes for its wider manufacturing network. This work includes developing quality systems, production methods, supply chains, and operating standards.
The company expects the network to create hundreds of jobs nationwide over the coming years. Hiring has already started as production increases in Virginia. Planned roles include aircraft assembly, manufacturing, quality control, operations, and supply chain work.
Founded in 2019, Heven AeroTech maintains its U.S. headquarters in Sterling, Virginia. The company designs and builds hydrogen-powered drones for defense, public safety, logistics, and other long-duration operations.
Read more:
- Hydrogen-Powered Heven AeroTech Z1 Joins DIU Blue UAS Select List
- Heven Acquires Zepher Flight Labs, Expanding Hydrogen Drone Capabilities
- Mach Industries and HevenDrones Partner to Boost U.S. Drone Manufacturing
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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