February 19, 2026 – West Palm Beach, FL – The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB) is pleased to announce the expansion of Blue Ops, the maritime division of Red Cat Holdings (Nasdaq: RCAT), a U.S.-based provider of advanced all-domain drone and robotic solutions for defense and national security. Blue Ops has expanded into the maritime domain with an 11,400-square-foot facility in unincorporated Palm Beach County, located at 1468 Skees Road, West Palm Beach, FL, and plans to inject millions annually into the local industry with the creation of more than 20 new jobs.
The new facility will serve as Blue Ops’ dedicated innovation center for advanced maritime defense systems, featuring the company’s next-generation uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and attracting clients from around the world for live demonstrations and hands-on engagement.
About the Expansion:
- 11,400-square-foot facility
- Injecting millions of dollars annually into local industry through partnerships and suppliers
- More than 20 new jobs to be created over the next few years
- Located at 1468 Skees Rd., West Palm Beach, FL 33411
- Showroom operations for maritime uncrewed surface vessels
“We’re going to have a showroom in West Palm Beach,” said Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat Holdings. “We have the best boat builders in the world paired with advanced autonomous technology, and we’re well capitalized to scale. Tell us what you need, and we’ll build it.”
Blue Ops operates under Red Cat’s U.S.-based production platform and has launched multi-state manufacturing operations aligned with national efforts to strengthen domestic defense manufacturing and field autonomous capabilities for U.S. and allied forces.
Red Cat’s launch of Blue Ops formalizes its expansion into maritime autonomy, complementing its existing divisions, Teal Drones and FlightWave Aerospace. Together, the company’s Family of Systems supports air, land, and sea operations for military, government, and security customers.
“We’re not replacing large naval vessels—we’re building smaller, smarter, uncrewed platforms that extend their reach, provide forward protection, and operate in environments traditional ships cannot,” said Barry Hinckley, President of Blue Ops. “The future of maritime defense requires fast, modular systems built in the United States. That is what we are delivering.”
“Blue Ops’ expansion into Palm Beach County further solidifies The Palm Beaches as a premier destination for cutting-edge defense and autonomous technology companies. Their investment not only brings high-quality jobs and significant economic impact, but also reinforces our region’s growing reputation as a national hub for innovation across air, land, and sea systems,” said Kelly Smallridge, President and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. “We are proud to have supported their rapid establishment here and look forward to seeing Blue Ops showcase world-class maritime capabilities from right here in Palm Beach County.”
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About the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County
The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB) serves as the county’s official public/private economic development organization. Established in 1982, the BDB is dedicated to attracting and retaining industries, fostering business investments, creating high-quality jobs, and supporting workforce development through corporate relocations, expansions, and international trade initiatives. Over the past five years, the BDB has supported more than 140 companies, contributing to the creation or retention of over 13,110 direct jobs with average salaries exceeding $80,000 per year. These efforts have driven more than $1.12 billion in capital investments into Palm Beach County.
Contact us or learn more by exploring bdb.org.
Media Inquiries:
Kristen Liberman at [email protected]
