CHEROKEE, Ala., August 7, 2026 — Hadrian has opened Factory 4, a new advanced manufacturing facility in Cherokee, Alabama, dedicated to producing components for the U.S. Navy’s Columbia- and Virginia-class submarine programs. The facility’s ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan, Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL-04), Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL-03), Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and state and local leaders. Factory 4 will mass-produce submarine components, assemblies, and finished products identified by the industry as major contributors to submarine production schedules. Increasing output of these parts will help strengthen the manufacturing capacity required for future submarine construction.

The Cherokee facility is part of a public-private partnership between Hadrian and the Navy involving more than $1.5 billion in private capital and $900 million in government funding through Navy appropriations, representing a total investment of more than $2.4 billion. Factory 4 is one of three Hadrian facilities being developed for the maritime industrial base, with another planned location designated as a Foundry of the Future focused on castings and forging operations. The opening comes as the Navy works to address long-standing capacity limitations across submarine manufacturing. Secretary Phelan previously said private-sector partnerships are essential to achieving the administration’s Golden Fleet initiative, which includes $59 billion in cumulative shipbuilding investment since the President took office.

Automated Production Expands Submarine Manufacturing Capacity

Factory 4 converts a 2.2 million-square-foot site in the Shoals region into an advanced production hub dedicated to defense manufacturing. The location previously operated as the largest railcar manufacturing facility in the country before production moved overseas. Hadrian expects the first phase of the facility to reach full-rate production capacity within 24 months of contract award, with additional sections of the site scheduled for construction in the coming months. Hadrian Founder and CEO Chris Power said the facility represents the company’s commitment to expanding domestic manufacturing capacity for critical defense programs. “The government cannot deliver the Golden Fleet alone—fast enough or at scale,” Secretary Phelan said at the 2026 WEST conference, adding that private-sector partnership is foundational to meeting national security requirements.

The facility will also help address workforce challenges within the maritime industrial base. Factory 4 is expected to create up to 1,000 high-quality jobs when fully operational, while Hadrian’s manufacturing platform, Opus, is designed to reduce the time required for workers to become production-ready. The maritime sector has historically required years of specialized training before workers reached full proficiency. Through automation of technically demanding manufacturing processes, Opus is designed to allow technicians with limited prior manufacturing experience to reach full productivity within 30 days. Secretary Phelan said the agreement with Hadrian creates shared responsibility between government and industry by requiring private investment before government funding is committed.

Navy Partnership Links Investment with Manufacturing Results

Secretary Phelan described the agreement as a new structure for defense manufacturing partnerships, where private capital is committed before government investment follows based on demonstrated performance. “More than $1.5 billion in capital from Hadrian comes in first. The Department of the Navy follows with a commitment of $900 million to scale up the factory, grounded in demonstrated performance and ensuring we are investing in outcomes, not promises,” Phelan said. He added that the partnership gives the Navy a stake in the facility’s success while providing benefits for American taxpayers. The Cherokee site represents the first large-scale inland advanced manufacturing facility dedicated to the U.S. maritime industrial base.

Hadrian now operates four facilities totaling approximately 2.85 million square feet across California, Arizona, and Alabama, while developing additional production sites covering manufacturing needs from components to complete assemblies. The company integrates artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and process engineering into its manufacturing systems to expand domestic production capabilities. Hadrian’s mission is to help space and defense manufacturers produce domestically at scale, supporting production programs ranging from individual components to full-scale systems.

Photo credit: Hadrian

Alabama Facility Creates New Manufacturing Opportunities

Government and community leaders highlighted the Cherokee facility’s role in expanding defense manufacturing capabilities while creating employment opportunities in Northwest Alabama. Rep. Robert Aderholt said the project represents cooperation between industry, local leaders, and the federal government to bring advanced manufacturing capabilities to the Shoals region. “This investment marks a major step forward in strengthening our nation’s defense industrial base while bringing high-quality jobs and economic growth to Northwest Alabama,” Aderholt said, while also recognizing AE Shoals for providing the facility that made the project possible.

Sen. Roger Wicker said the Factory 4 opening reflects cooperation between government and private industry to rebuild American manufacturing capacity. Sen. Katie Britt highlighted the facility’s expected contribution to Alabama’s economy through the creation of more than 1,000 jobs and increased manufacturing activity. Sen. Tommy Tuberville said the Cherokee facility will provide the Navy with additional production resources while bringing employment opportunities to Alabama workers. With Factory 4 now open, Hadrian is expanding domestic manufacturing capacity for submarine programs while strengthening the connection between advanced technology, industrial production, and national defense requirements.