ViDARR Opens New Virginia Beach Production Facility

The 19,000-square-foot site will focus on manufacturing specialized drone systems for defense applications.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Manufacturing

ViDARR Opens New Virginia Beach Production Facility

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On October 1, 2026, ViDARR officially opened a new 19,000-square-foot production facility in Virginia Beach. The site is dedicated to the late Rear Admiral Thomas R. Richards, a decorated veteran who commanded Naval Special Warfare Command.

Why it matters

The new facility aims to bolster manufacturing capacity and create jobs within the Hampton Roads region. By localizing production, ViDARR seeks to strengthen its industrial footprint while supporting the development of advanced defense technology.

The new production site occupies 19,000 square feet and supports the assembly of vFORGE and REAVERS drone systems. Notably, the REAVERS unmanned aircraft system utilizes a modular, solderless platform designed for assembly in just 30 minutes.

The players

ViDARR

This defense technology company develops unmanned aircraft systems and maintains R&D operations in New Hampshire.

Thomas R. Richards

A decorated U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, he commanded SEAL Team ONE and Naval Special Warfare Command during his distinguished military career.

The details

The facility is specifically designed to produce the vFORGE system, which features a deployable drone production lab housed in an ISU-90 container. It serves as an expansion for ViDARR, which already operates a separate research and development center located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

1986-1988: Thomas R. Richards served as commander of SEAL Team ONE.
1996-1999: Thomas R. Richards led the Naval Special Warfare Command.
2023: The U.S. Navy upgraded the Bronze Star of Richards to a Silver Star.
September 2025: Rear Admiral Thomas R. Richards passed away.
October 1, 2026: ViDARR held an opening ceremony for the Virginia Beach facility.

Market Landscape

This move reflects a broader trend of defense contractors centralizing advanced manufacturing in established military hubs like Hampton Roads. By expanding in Virginia Beach, ViDARR positions itself closer to key naval operations while competing for specialized production contracts against other established defense manufacturers.

The opening of this facility is expected to bring new employment opportunities to the Hampton Roads area. Local residents may see an increase in technical job postings as the company scales production of its vFORGE and REAVERS drone systems.

The takeaway

ViDARR continues to integrate its defense manufacturing closer to major military regions to enhance production efficiency. The new facility honors a significant naval veteran while expanding the company's operational capacity.