UK-based defence technology company OpenWorks Engineering is expanding into the United States, establishing a regional headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia, and planning a manufacturing facility in Detroit, Michigan, expected to open in 2026.
Founded in Northumberland, England, more than a decade ago, the company will retain its UK headquarters while strengthening its presence in North America to support collaboration with NATO members and allied nations.
OpenWorks initially developed SkyWall Patrol, a handheld counter-drone system designed to capture unmanned aircraft using nets. Its portfolio has since expanded to include the Vision family of AI-powered technologies for detecting, tracking, identifying and targeting dynamic threats.
The company reports deployments at major international events, including the G7 Summit, World Economic Forum and 2024 Paris Olympics. It also cites technology use associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
OpenWorks has grown from 26 employees in 2024 to 125 in 2026. Chris Bigwood has been appointed Executive Vice President for North American business development and corporate strategy, with responsibility for supporting the regional expansion and Detroit manufacturing plans.
The company says adoption of its technologies increased fourfold between 2025 and mid-2026. Production capacity for its Vision Flex surveillance, tracking and classification system also increased 2.75 times over the previous year.
OpenWorks reports that its US customers already use its systems and that company personnel have trained FBI operators on the technology. Meanwhile, it invested more than £2 million in UK-based research and development over the past year, supporting university research, PhD programmes and post-doctoral work focused on autonomous vision systems.
The expansion is intended to increase OpenWorks’ manufacturing, commercial and technology capabilities in the US while retaining its UK engineering and research base, positioning the company to address growing demand for counter-uncrewed aircraft systems and autonomous surveillance technologies.
