An Israeli arms company chose Quantico Corporate Center in Stafford County as the home for its U.S. operations.
UvisionUSA announced the opening of a 30,000-square-foot production facility for its HERO loitering munition systems — launched projectiles that can travel long distances and over an area to make a high-precision strike.
The company received the first order to supply the Hero loitering munitions to an undisclosed European NATO military force in July 2022. The order involves the delivery of the Hero-30 combat and training munitions, simulator, and training, by 2023.
The customer will also receive associated logistics equipment and support.
UVision received a contract to supply its Hero-120 loitering weapon system for the Marine Corps organic precision fires-mounted (OPF-M) system requirement in June 2021.
The Hero-120 systems will be integrated into the Marine Corps light armored vehicles.
Officials from the parent company, UvisionAir, and members of the Israeli Army visited the new facility for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, October 6.
Jim Truxel led the new division and said Stafford’s designation as a federal hub zone. Its proximity to Quantico Marine Corps Base was one of the primary reasons the company chose to locate at 600 Corporate Drive, in an industrial complex managed by the Merritt Companies.
“We’re centrally located,” said Truxel. “There’s a large number of facilities and customers nearby, and the building, itself, is great.”
Truxel looks forward to efforts now underway by Stafford and Culpeper counties to establish an international trade zone. “I still receive some equipment from Israel, so having a foreign trade zone will help.”
Truxel spent years developing defense technologies at SAAB before being tapped to lead UvisionUSA in 2018.
Former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam worked to lure UvisionAir to Virginia. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Stafford County, the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance at the University of Mary Washington, and The Port of Virginia to secure the project for Virginia.
It will support UVision’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs to support employee recruitment and training activities.
The Virginia Jobs Investment Program is state-funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for citizens. The company is also eligible to receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program.
