Prudhoe’s OpenWorks Engineering Expands to the US After Rapid Growth
The counter-drone specialist has grown from 26 to 125 people since 2024 and is opening a Virginia headquarters, with a Detroit factory planned.
- OpenWorks is opening a regional HQ in Virginia and plans manufacturing in Detroit.
- Its headcount has grown from 26 in 2024 to 125.
- It has invested more than £2m in UK research and development in the last year.
OpenWorks Engineering, the Northumberland defence technology company specialising in counter-drone systems, is expanding into the US with a new regional headquarters in Virginia and plans for a manufacturing facility in Detroit.
Rapid growth
The Prudhoe business has grown from 26 people in 2024 to 125 today, and adoption of its products quadrupled between 2025 and mid-2026. It has also invested more than £2m in UK research and development over the past year, including work with North East universities on autonomous vision systems and AI.
From nets to AI
OpenWorks first made its name with SkyWall Patrol, a handheld system that fires a net to capture drones. It now also builds AI-powered vision systems that detect, track and identify drones and other fast-moving threats at long range.
Its technology has been deployed at events including the G7 and the Paris Olympics. Chief executive Chris Down said the company prides itself on “never forgetting how we started in North East England”.
