Vertical Autonomy, a Michigan-based unmanned systems company that designs, manufactures and operates advanced vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) autonomous aircraft and supporting autonomy systems, has announced plans to establish a centralized manufacturing and operations hub in Jackson County and upgrade existing infrastructure in Hillsdale County.
As a newly formed organization resulting from the acquisition of unmanned aircraft assets and intellectual property formerly held by L3Harris, Vertical Autonomy is seeking to consolidate and relocate key operational assets currently located in California and Arizona to Michigan.
The company currently occupies a temporary site in the City of Jackson and expects to obtain a permanent site in Jackson County in late 2026, which will work in conjunction with its existing location in the City of Hillsdale (Hillsdale County). Along with a new facility, Vertical Autonomy expects to upgrade existing infrastructure, which includes a mobile flight control center, specialized support vehicles, and enhanced utility connections required for testing, assembly, and operations. This investment will support the state’s advanced aircraft manufacturing industry, positioning Michigan as the global leader in high-technology aerospace and defense activity.
The project is being awarded a $455,000 Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund and is expected to create at least 70 qualified new jobs with starting wages of $30 per hour plus benefits, which is above the Regional Median Wage of $23.17 per hour. The project will also bring an anticipated capital investment of at least $28.72 million in the City of Hillsdale and Jackson County, including capital investment in machinery and equipment exceeding $22 million and more than $5 million expected in construction and site improvements.
The new hub will support growth driven by an increasing demand for advanced unmanned aerial systems and the pursuit of high-value contracts, including opportunities with the U.S. military and public safety agencies.
