Principles for a Modern Manufacturing Technology Stack for Defense | Build Better 2024

Watch the full session here. 

How Anduril is Building a Modern Manufacturing Tech Stack

Manufacturing companies often treat technology infrastructure as an unavoidable cost to minimize. Cy Sack, Head of Business Systems at Anduril, sees things differently.

“Our tech stack isn't just overhead—it's a competitive advantage, right alongside our autonomous fighter jets and submarines,” Cy explains. Coming from software product management rather than traditional IT, Cy’s perspective challenges conventional manufacturing wisdom.

Rejecting Legacy Manufacturing for Custom Solutions

Traditional defense contractors build limited numbers of costly, manned systems. Anduril flips this approach, producing high volumes of autonomous drones and vehicles. Losing drones during missions isn't just acceptable—it’s part of their business model.

"Traditional contractors build one Abrams tank per month,” Cy says. “We need to deliver hundreds of vehicles per day.”

Off-the-shelf solutions consistently fell short. Instead, Anduril built a custom integration platform (iPaaS), rejecting tools like MuleSoft or Boomi after thorough evaluations.

Defense industry constraints further restricted software choices. “Being in aerospace and defense immediately rules out 80% of SaaS tools,” Cy explains, citing data governance, ITAR compliance, and GovCloud requirements.

Sometimes, seemingly minor enhancements dramatically boost productivity. A custom timekeeping tool, Jolt, reduced logging hours from three minutes per team member to 30 seconds, significantly improving operational efficiency across thousands of workers.

The Arsenal Operating System: Scaling Production and Flexibility

To support its ambitious manufacturing goals, Anduril is investing $1.5 billion in the Arsenal, a 5-million-square-foot facility. Cy recognized early that physical scale required equally innovative software, leading to the development of the Arsenal Operating System—his "magnum opus."

"We’re building gigafactory-level capability," Cy notes. "The facility must rapidly switch production lines from robot submarines one month to ISR drones the next."

The Arsenal OS manages manufacturing resources, production scheduling, workforce operations, and even employee timekeeping. This comprehensive system demanded a total rethink of factory software.

Navigating Challenges and Prioritizing Speed

Anduril isn't alone in building custom systems. SpaceX’s Warp Drive and Meta’s custom PLM software for its data centers offer successful models. However, even leaders occasionally return to commercial tools, underscoring the importance of strategic "build vs. buy" decisions.

For Cy, modernizing technology isn't just business—it's existential. “Our mission goes beyond profits,” he emphasizes. “We’re defending the Western way of life, and we must move much faster.”

Rapid onboarding of thousands of new employees demands standardized processes. "We can't have 18 ways to file an incident report,” Cy stresses. Streamlined enterprise systems are crucial as Anduril scales.

Cy candidly acknowledges ongoing challenges, like transitioning from NetSuite to Oracle ERP. “It's high-risk—one wrong move and I'm gone,” he jokes, highlighting the stakes involved.

Legacy defense manufacturers stuck on decades-old SAP versions underscore the perils of avoiding modernization. Cy’s proactive approach contrasts sharply with industry inertia.

The Future: Software-Driven Manufacturing

Cy’s experience offers clear guidance. Prioritize internal workflows. Find off-the-shelf tools if they exist, and don’t be afraid to build your own if what you need doesn’t. Strategic investment in software directly translates into manufacturing efficiency and competitive advantage.

"Manufacturing’s future will blend software and hardware expertise,” Cy concludes. “Mastering both is non-negotiable.”