Wire arc additive manufacturing startup Radian Forge announced plans to invest $10.5 million to increase manufacturing operations in Portsmouth, Virginia, creating 53 new jobs.
The company specializes in the production of large-scale maritime parts, primarily for the U.S. Navy.
Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is a digital metal manufacturing process that uses an electric arc and standard welding wire to deposit metal layer by layer. By combining metal inert gas welding with robotic control and software-driven design, WAAM enables the rapid production of large, complex metal components with material properties comparable to forgings and superior to castings. The process leverages commercially available wire with a qualified supply chain, allowing for fast iteration, flexible geometries, part repair and feature addition.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Portsmouth, the Hampton Roads Alliance, and The Port of Virginia to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Spanberger approved a $265,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the City of Portsmouth with the project. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. The company is eligible to receive benefits from The Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program.
