Key Takeaways
• Hadrian will invest $200 million in a 270,000 sq. ft. Mesa, Arizona plant named Factory 3 (F3), operational by early 2026.
• The facility will create 350 jobs and support the production of mission-critical defense systems.
• The company secured $260 million in new capital to fund expansion and accelerate its “Factories-as-a-Service” model.
• Mesa’s new site joins a growing network of AI-powered manufacturing hubs designed to serve the defense sector, including planned divisions for munitions, missiles, and autonomous systems.
Factory 3: A Strategic Expansion in Mesa
Hadrian is setting up its third factory at The Cubes Mesa Gateway, a major Class A industrial development by CRG Integrated Real Estate Solutions. The new facility, known as Factory 3 (F3), spans 270,000 square feet and marks a $200 million investment into Mesa’s advanced manufacturing infrastructure. The site will become operational in early 2026, bringing 350 new high-skill jobs to the region.
Factory 3 will serve as a major manufacturing and software hub, supporting full-spectrum defense production—from raw materials to fully assembled systems. Hadrian’s expansion is expected to significantly boost local employment and reinforce the region’s standing in the national defense supply chain.
Financing and National Growth Plans
The Mesa facility is part of a broader $260 million capital raise led by existing backers like Founders Fund and Lux Capital, with Morgan Stanley arranging a factory expansion loan. This funding will support Hadrian’s accelerated growth not just in Arizona, but also at a planned 400,000-square-foot corporate and R&D headquarters. That headquarters, targeted to open in January 2026, is expected to accommodate thousands of new hires.
Hadrian also announced the formation of Hadrian Maritime, a new division that applies its autonomous factory technology to shipbuilding and naval defense. Additional units focusing on munitions, missile systems, and unmanned aerial platforms are also in development.
Factories-as-a-Service and Supply Chain Resilience
A central element of Hadrian’s strategy is its Factories-as-a-Service model. This approach allows defense contractors to tap into Hadrian’s automated manufacturing capacity on demand—helping scale production to meet pressing Department of Defense program requirements.
The company’s proprietary software platform, Opus, powers its AI-driven production systems. It enables new facilities like Factory 3 to come online in less than six months, creating rapid-response capacity for mission-critical hardware.
Hadrian’s current capabilities span the full manufacturing stack, from raw materials to complete systems. The company’s rapid production model is designed to compete with China’s industrial power by enabling cost-effective, domestically sourced defense manufacturing.
Leadership and Local Support
Mesa’s local and state leaders have welcomed Hadrian’s decision to build Factory 3 in the region. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs emphasized the state’s growing role in national defense, calling Hadrian’s investment a major win for job creation and industrial capability.
Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman and Vice Mayor Scott Somers both highlighted the plant’s expected economic impact and its role in advancing the city’s reputation as a leader in aerospace and defense innovation.
