The Columbus Regional Airport Authority is planning to expand Rickenbacker Airport to support a huge expansion project by defense manufacturer Anduril, located next to the aiport. According to permit filings, the airport authority plans to construct hangers, a taxiway and aircraft ramps to support flight trials for autonomous drones and vehicles, which Anduril plans to start making in July 2026.
The airport expansion is in response to construction, under way now, at Anduril’s Pickaway County facility, Arsenal-1. The facility expansion will create 4,000 jobs and intends to “rebuild the arsenal” by supplying weapons to the U.S. and its allies, reports KCMH.
The first phase of the airport expansion includes building six hangers and six loading zones east of Rickenbacker runway 05R. Plans also call for a new road and taxiway, as well as aircraft bays, office spaces and parking. Breann Gonzalez Almos, communications and media relations manager for the airport authority, said the project will connect the airport’s current runway to future Anduril facilities.
The state’s taxpayer-funded All Ohio Future Fund is supplying $70 million for the airport expansion. Almos said the Pickaway Progress Partnership, a nonprofit group that collects and distributes public and private investments, is also contributing grant funding, reports KCMH.
Anduril selected the site adjacent to Rickenbacker in January because of Ohio’s established airspaces, many universities and economic incentives provided by the state. Filings show the Columbus Regional Airport Authority hopes to complete construction by June 30, right before Anduril hopes to start manufacturing.
“The purpose of the project is to construct a facility capable of supporting manufacturing needs of the U.S. military and of ally nations,” permit submissions read. “Production is urgently desired to support services essential to maintaining national security.”