Defense technology company Saronic Technologies, Austin, Texas, has opened a new 80,000+ square-foot operations facility in downtown San Diego, the company announced Wednesday.
The new site will serve as Saronic’s multi-purpose West Coast base, housing mission operations staff, business development teams, and office support functions, the company said. Located near key U.S. Navy installations, the facility is intended to enhance the company’s ability to provide real-time mission support for its fleet of autonomous surface vessels (ASV), which are manufactured in Austin, Texas and Franklin, La.
“San Diego is a critical node in the U.S. maritime defense landscape, and we’re excited to join and contribute to this lively community,” Rob Lehman, co-founder and chief commercial officer at Saronic, said in a statement.
As part of the expansion, Saronic said it is scaling up its regional workforce, hiring for a range of roles in mission operations, growth, field support, and other functions.
Saronic is among several companies developing ASVs intended for the Navy and U.S. allies. In February, it raised $600 million in a Series C round, boosting its valuation to $4 billion. In April, Saronic acquired a nearly 100-acre facility from Gulf Craft, Franklin, La., which will serve as a prototyping and production hub.
