Gecko Robotics will deploy its robotic inspection technology and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered software at Anduril Industries' submarine manufacturing facilities, supporting non-destructive testing (NDT) and quality assurance for submarine components.
The collaboration will initially support Anduril's production operations at its Orange County, California, facility and the planned Arsenal-2 shipyard in Baltimore County, Maryland. Gecko's technology will be used to inspect submarine components, assess weld integrity and establish digital records of component condition to support maintenance planning and production workflows.
Robotic NDT to Support Submarine Component Manufacturing
Gecko Robotics will use its robotic inspection systems and AI-powered software to conduct NDT on submarine components. The technology is designed to gather information about component condition, including subsurface characteristics within welds, without damaging the inspected material.
The inspection data will be used to establish a digital baseline of components in their as-built condition. Gecko will also create a digital thread connecting inspection information with asset records, helping support quality assurance, maintenance planning and future assessments.
Troy Demmer, co-founder and president of Gecko Robotics, told Breaking Defense:
“It allows us to go in and assess and create that digital baseline of the actual, as-built condition of this critical component, and so it takes things like our robotic capability and actually gathers and sort of inspects what’s going on subsurface within the weld, etc.,”
The use of robotic NDT and digital inspection records is intended to support the assessment of critical submarine components during manufacturing and provide traceable condition data for subsequent engineering and maintenance activities.
Anduril Integrates Gecko Technology into Production Workflows
Anduril has already begun integrating Gecko's NDT technology into production workflows at its 160,000-square-foot Orange County facility, where the company plans to manufacture submarine components. The technology is also being integrated with Anduril's ArsenalOS software platform.
Bill Noderer, Anduril's vice president and general manager for shipbuilding, said:
“We are already embedding Gecko’s NDT technology into real production workflows at our Orange County protofactory and integrating it deeply with ArsenalOS,”
He added:
“This will reduce inspection wait times, give our inspectors better tools to do their jobs, and establish quality processes that we can bring to the Arsenal-2 shipyard in Maryland from day one.”
The integration is intended to reduce inspection delays and establish repeatable quality processes that can be applied across Anduril's submarine manufacturing operations.
Arsenal-2 Shipyard to Expand Submarine Production
Anduril is preparing to establish its Arsenal-2 shipyard in Baltimore County, Maryland, to manufacture components for Virginia-class submarines. The project forms part of a planned US$6.6 billion investment, comprising US$3.7 billion in private capital and up to US$2.9 billion from the US Navy, according to the report.
Initial operations at Arsenal-2 are planned for 2030. Anduril intends to expand production from basic submarine components to more complex sections of the vessel, including the bow. Permitting for the Maryland facility is expected to begin before construction proceeds following the required approvals.
Gecko Robotics' inspection technology is expected to support quality processes at the new shipyard as production develops.
Digital Inspection Supports Manufacturing Quality
The collaboration highlights the role of robotic NDT, AI-powered analysis and digital inspection records in submarine component manufacturing. By integrating inspection data into production workflows, the companies aim to improve access to component condition information, reduce inspection wait times and establish consistent quality processes across facilities.
For critical components such as welded submarine structures, subsurface inspection and documented as-built condition data can support manufacturing quality assurance and provide a baseline for future maintenance and integrity assessments.
Reference: https://breakingdefense.com/2026/10/gecko-robotics-anduril-team-up-for-new-baltimore-county-shipyard/
