A Norwegian defense company will hold a VIP-only groundbreaking for its new cruise missile factory in James City County Friday.
The $101 million, 150,000 square-foot facility will be constructed in Toano at Old Stage Road, near the Upper County Park. The company said it will create more than 180 jobs at the site.
The factory is the first U.S. production facility for Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, a division of Norway’s Kongsberg Group, founded in 1814.
It will manufacture two types of cruise missiles for the U.S. Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Air Force. The Navy and Marines will be buying naval strike missiles for littoral combat ships and the Navy’s new Constellation-class frigate.
The Air Force will be buying Joint Strike missiles for their F-35 stealth fighters. Kongsberg said the Air Force selected the missile because it can be carried inside the airplane, preserving its stealth signature.
Local, national and state dignitaries have been invited to the event, which is not open to the …