Hidden Level Expands in Syracuse, Fueling U.S. Race for Airspace Security

SYRACUSE, NY – May 04, 2026 – Amid escalating global threats from unmanned aerial systems, Syracuse-based technology firm Hidden Level has unveiled a state-of-the-art anechoic chamber, a strategic investment designed to accelerate the production of its critical radio frequency (RF) sensing systems. The new facility marks a significant enhancement of the company's domestic manufacturing capabilities, positioning it to more rapidly equip the U.S. military and its allies with advanced counter-drone technology.

The expansion comes at a pivotal moment. The market for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) is experiencing explosive growth, with projections estimating the market could surge from under $1 billion in 2023 to over $7.5 billion by 2033. This boom is driven by the widespread proliferation of inexpensive, highly capable drones that pose new and complex security challenges to military forces, critical infrastructure, and public venues. Recent data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) underscores the urgency, with over 2,000 drone sightings near U.S. airports reported between 2021 and 2023.

Hidden Level's technology, which uses passive RF sensing to detect and track drones without emitting a signal, is a key component in the nation's evolving defense strategy. The new facility, located at the company's advanced manufacturing campus, is set to become a cornerstone of its efforts to meet this surging demand.

A Quantum Leap in Testing and Delivery

The centerpiece of the expansion is the anechoic chamber—a specialized, shielded room engineered to completely absorb electromagnetic waves. This creates an electronically silent environment, allowing engineers to conduct precise, repeatable, and fully automated tests on their RF systems without interference from outside signals or internal reflections. For technology destined for national security applications, this level of precision is non-negotiable.

By bringing this capability in-house, Hidden Level dramatically shortens its development and production cycles. Previously, the company, like many in the industry, relied on booking time at third-party test ranges, a process often fraught with scheduling delays and logistical hurdles.

"This chamber changes the pace at which we can develop, test, and deliver," said Jeff Cole, CEO of Hidden Level, in a statement. "We're no longer dependent on external test ranges or third-party facilities. We can iterate faster, validate more rigorously, and get proven systems into the hands of the warfighters and operators who need them faster. The manufacturing capability we've built here in Syracuse is world-class, and it exists in service of that global mission."

This speed advantage is critical. In the fast-moving world of asymmetric warfare, the ability to rapidly field new and improved defensive systems can be a decisive factor. The chamber allows Hidden Level to test its systems at scale, ensuring that the technology deployed to protect U.S. assets is both reliable and effective against the latest threats.

Bolstering the U.S. Defense Industrial Base

Hidden Level's expansion is part of a broader national effort to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains for critical technologies. The company has secured significant contracts and partnerships that underscore its strategic importance, including a 10-year contract with the U.S. Army and a $10 million award from the Department of Defense's Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovating Technologies (APFIT) program. Its systems are currently being deployed with NASA and multiple U.S. military commands, including INDOPACOM and CENTCOM.

Industry leaders view this type of domestic investment as essential. Lisa Ellman, CEO of the Commercial Drone Alliance, noted the timeliness of the expansion. "As government and industry work to address counter-UAS gaps and advance the BVLOS [Beyond Visual Line of Sight] rulemaking, airspace security capabilities like Hidden Level's will be essential," she stated. "By investing in domestic production and advanced testing infrastructure, Hidden Level is advancing some of our industry's most important priorities: scaling commercial operations, strengthening national security, and building a more resilient U.S. drone industrial base."

The sentiment was echoed by leaders in the uncrewed systems industry. "Advancing C-UAS capabilities and resilient airspace awareness is essential to strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base," said Michael Robbins, President & CEO of AUVSI. He praised the investment in domestic R&D and manufacturing as a critical factor in accelerating innovation and delivering mission-ready solutions.

Syracuse: A Growing Hub for Next-Generation Tech

While Hidden Level's mission is global, its roots and growth are firmly planted in Central New York. The company's expansion, which now includes four facilities in Syracuse, is a testament to the region's emergence as a hub for advanced manufacturing and next-generation technology. This growth has been fostered by partnerships with state-level organizations like Empire State Development and New York's Manufacturing Extension Partnership programs.

The investment translates directly into local economic benefits, particularly through the creation of high-skill jobs. Hidden Level plans to expand its local workforce from 100 to 160 employees within the next 18 months, with a focus on roles in engineering, manufacturing, and program management.

Randy Wolken, President & CEO of The Manufacturers Association (MACNY) and Co-Chair of the CNY Regional Economic Development Council, highlighted the project's regional significance. "Hidden Level's continued investment in advanced manufacturing capabilities here in Syracuse is a powerful example of how Central New York is helping to lead the nation in critical, next-generation technologies," Wolken commented. He added that the new chamber "reinforces the region's growing role as a hub for innovation in support of national security."

The ribbon-cutting ceremony held on May 1, 2026, brought together national partners, elected officials, and industry stakeholders to celebrate the milestone. It served as a clear signal that the technologies being developed in Syracuse are integral to addressing some of the most complex security challenges facing the nation today.