What’s New in Blackstone, VA
Local developments, with sources you can follow
Published September 17, 2026. Latest story added September 23, 2026. Blackstone’s historic streets, local shops and welcoming places to stay sit alongside an active aviation and training community. This page brings together confirmed announcements that may interest visitors planning work trips or longer stays. Follow the primary sources for the latest project details.
Historic UAS Flight Connects Blacksburg and Blackstone, Virginia
Latest story: September 23, 2026. Announcement: September 22, 2026.
Textron Systems reports that its Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL aircraft traveled nearly 150 nautical miles from Blacksburg to its Blackstone Center of Excellence in two and a half hours. Virginia Tech places the demonstration in summer 2026 as part of Virginia’s developing Smart Airspace network.
Read the full story and authoritative sources, including what the milestone means for Blackstone’s aviation community.
Platform Aerospace breaks ground on a training center
Event: February 17, 2026. Company article: March 3, 2026. Platform Aerospace announced the groundbreaking of a Blackstone Training Center of Excellence, beginning with a hangar. The planned facility supports training for Vanilla UAS pilots, instructors and support personnel. Read the original Platform Aerospace announcement. Update reviewed September 17, 2026: A newer update on Platform Aerospace’s company LinkedIn page describes steel rising for a 6,000-square-foot Blackstone hangar and plans being finalized for a 160,000-square-foot Training and Operations Center of Excellence campus. These are company-reported construction and planning milestones, not confirmation of a completed campus or a guaranteed opening date.
JKOZ Engineering investment announcement
Announcement: June 4, 2024. Virginia Economic Development Partnership announced a planned $3.7 million relocation and expansion by JKOZ Engineering in Nottoway County. The announcement adds context to the area’s aerospace and defense-related business activity; it does not establish today’s construction status or employment totals.
Textron’s established Blackstone UAS operation
Company overview: September 25, 2024. Textron Systems’ overview describes its 38,000-square-foot Aerosonde UAS Center of Excellence in Blackstone, including production, assembly, testing, training and logistics. This is an existing operation described by the company, distinct from newly announced projects.
A name update for military visitors
Effective date: June 11, 2025. The Virginia National Guard identifies the installation as Fort Pickett, renamed from Fort Barfoot. Visitors searching under either name can use our installation lodging guide and should confirm current reporting instructions with their host.
Planning a visit to Blackstone?
Read our Blackstone Aerospace & UAS guide, find lodging near the airfield, or explore business and extended-stay lodging. Grey Swan Inn welcomes work trips and leisure stays alike, with weekly and monthly rates available. Call (434) 264-1806 to discuss your dates. For a different side of Blackstone, browse our things to do and guest rooms. Grey Swan Inn is independently owned and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. military, FASTC, Fort Pickett (formerly Fort Barfoot), Blackstone Army Airfield, Platform Aerospace, or other organizations mentioned here.
About these updates
Each item links to a statement from the company or public agency involved, with announcement or review dates shown.
Not necessarily. A proposed investment, groundbreaking and completed facility are different milestones. Check the linked organization for current status.
No. This page reports announcements and does not forecast completed hiring, visitor numbers or lodging demand.
No. This is independent visitor information from Grey Swan Inn.