Leonardo DRS opens Navy facility in Goose Creek

After originally announcing plans for operations in early 2024, a U.S. Navy defense products manufacturer has opened its facility in Goose Creek. 

Leonardo DRS, through its subsidiary, DRS Naval Power Systems, will operate as a state-of-the-art naval power and propulsion manufacturing and testing facility, according to a news release.  

The Goose Creek facility will provide advanced manufacturing, final assembly, integration and testing space for the large components of the electric power and propulsion systems, as well as naval steam turbine system design, manufacturing and testing, the release said.  

“This strategic investment is a national asset and represents our commitment to supporting the U.S. Navy’s efforts to increase production capacity across the submarine and shipbuilding industrial base,” Jon Miller, senior vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems business unit, said in the release. “This advanced multi-purpose facility enables us to increase production capacity, streamline our production processes, and rapidly respond to evolving fleet requirements.” 

Leonardo DRS said the 14,000-square-foot building will expand domestic production capacity to support U.S. Navy submarine and shipbuilding programs such as the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program. 

The Leonardo DRS technologies aid the U.S. Navy to support advanced sensors, directed-energy systems, high-performance computing, and propulsion across surface ships, submarines, and ground platforms. The company said Charleston is the ideal place to deliver products at scale and with schedule reliability.  

“The Department of War has been clear about the need to strengthen and expand the defense industrial base, and this investment answers that call,’” John Baylouny, president and CEO of Leonardo DRS, said in the release. “By increasing capacity and modernizing our manufacturing infrastructure, we are ensuring the U.S. military has reliable access to the critical capabilities it needs, when and where they are needed.” 

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