Gecko Robotics to provide inspection tech for Anduril's submarine factories
Gecko Robotics will deploy its robotic inspection and AI software at Anduril's new submarine component facilities in Maryland and California, helping test parts for Virginia-class submarines.
What happened
Gecko Robotics announced a partnership with Anduril to provide non-destructive testing (NDT) technology and AI-powered software at Anduril's submarine manufacturing facilities. Non-destructive testing inspects materials and components without damaging them—in this case, examining welds and subsurface defects in submarine parts like torpedo turbines. Gecko will create a "digital thread," a continuous record of each component's condition from manufacturing through maintenance, helping planners schedule repairs and upgrades. The technology will first be deployed at Anduril's existing 160,000-square-foot protofactory in Orange County, California, where Anduril is already beginning to manufacture submarine parts. It will then be integrated into Arsenal-2, Anduril's new $6.6 billion shipyard in Baltimore County, Maryland, which is expected to begin operations in 2030. Bill Noderer, Anduril's vice president for shipbuilding, said the integration will reduce inspection delays, improve inspector tools, and establish quality processes that can be transferred to the Maryland facility from its opening day.
Background
Anduril announced in September 2026 that it would build Arsenal-2, a major submarine component manufacturing facility in Baltimore County as part of a public-private partnership with the U.S. Navy. The $6.6 billion project includes $3.7 billion in private capital from Anduril and up to $2.9 billion in Navy funding. The facility will manufacture parts for Virginia-class submarines, a mainstay of the U.S. Navy's attack submarine fleet. Anduril is also operating a smaller protofactory in Orange County to begin production and refine manufacturing processes before Arsenal-2 opens. The partnership with Gecko Robotics is part of Anduril's effort to establish quality control and production efficiency at scale.
What to watch next
Gecko's technology is already being tested at the Orange County protofactory. Watch for updates on whether the integration improves inspection times and quality metrics there. Permitting for Arsenal-2 in Baltimore County is expected to commence immediately, and construction will begin after approval. Full operations are targeted for 2030.
Sources
- Original report: Gecko Robotics, Anduril team up for new Baltimore County shipyard (Breaking Defense, Oct 8, 2026) Defense media
- Breaking Defense: Gecko Robotics, Anduril team up for new Baltimore County shipyard Defense media
Written by Anduril News with AI assistance from the original report and other coverage, in plain English. It can contain mistakes; check the original for anything important. How we write these.
