Skyeton, Inc., a manufacturer of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), is set to expand its operations by creating 162 new jobs in Cumberland County, North Carolina. Governor Josh Stein announced that the Las Vegas-headquartered company will invest over $3.1 million to establish its first flagship manufacturing facility in the United States at Fayetteville. This expansion is welcomed by state officials who see it as a boost to North Carolina’s reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing and defense innovation. The new jobs will have an average annual salary of $70,759, which is above the county’s average of $49,382.
Skyeton, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Skyeton Holdings, known globally for its unmanned aerial systems used in defense and commercial sectors. The company has logged more than 350,000 combat-proven flight hours with its Raybird platform, which is used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. The new 28,500-square-foot facility will integrate advanced technologies for the design, engineering, manufacturing, testing, and distribution of its composite UAS.
The expansion is supported by a $500,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund, which encourages economic investment and job creation. Companies under this program receive funds only after meeting specific job creation and capital investment targets, with local governments required to provide matching funds. This move is expected to make a significant impact on the region’s annual payroll, potentially adding over $1.4 million…