LS GreenLink Commences Development of Advanced Manufacturing and Port Facility in Chesapeake, Virginia

CHESAPEAKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 29, 2025--

LS GreenLink USA, Inc. ("LS GreenLink"), a subsidiary of LS Cable & System Ltd. (“LS Cable & System”), today officially commenced construction on its state-of-the-art manufacturing and port facility in Chesapeake, Virginia. This significant project represents a major advancement in bolstering global energy infrastructure, with the initial phase representing an investment exceeding $681 million and the creation of more than 330 new jobs in the region.

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The initial phase of the development will encompass a 750,000 sq. ft. advanced manufacturing plant, a 660-foot VCV (Vertical Continuous Vulcanization) tower, and a dedicated pier, all designed to enhance the production, handling, and global delivery of HVDC (high-voltage direct current) submarine cables critical to modern energy infrastructure. The 660-foot VCV tower is projected to be the tallest structure in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the tallest structure between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Charlotte, North Carolina, underscoring the facility’s significant contribution to the regional skyline.

Bon-Kyu Koo, President & CEO of LS Cable & System, said, “This groundbreaking marks a monumental step forward for LS Cable & System in fulfilling our global vision for energy infrastructure. By investing in cutting-edge manufacturing facilities like the one in Chesapeake, Virginia, we not only strengthen our competitive position in the global market but also play a crucial role in providing innovative solutions to meet the world’s growing energy demands. The success of this project will enhance our global footprint and contribute significantly to the advancement of sustainable energy systems worldwide.”

Gisu Kim, Regional President of North America at LS Cable & System, emphasized the significance of the new facility, stating, “The development of this advanced manufacturing facility highlights LS Cable & System’s continued commitment to the United States. This project not only strengthens our global production capabilities but also contributes directly to local economic growth and the advancement of the region’s energy infrastructure. We are proud to support the communities where we operate and look forward to the positive impact this facility will have across the broader energy sector.”

“This groundbreaking event represents far more than the launch of a construction project - it marks the start of a long-term investment in innovation, sustainability, and energy resilience,” said Patrick Y. Shim, Managing Director of LS GreenLink USA, Inc. “With this facility, LS GreenLink is laying the foundation for leadership in advanced manufacturing while reinforcing the global energy infrastructure that powers industries and communities worldwide.”

Virginia GovernorGlenn Youngkin remarked, “The commencement of this facility in Chesapeake is a proud moment for Virginia. This investment strengthens our leadership in innovation, energy, and manufacturing while creating hundreds of new jobs. LS GreenLink’s commitment to developing advanced energy infrastructure here exemplifies the innovative and impactful growth we are seeing across the Commonwealth.”

U.S. Senator Mark Warner stated, “I’ve been proud to support this project, and am thrilled to finally celebrate the groundbreaking of this manufacturing and port facility. This investment by LS GreenLink will be tremendous for Chesapeake, and for Virginia as a whole, bringing high-quality, good-paying jobs to the region while continuing the Commonwealth’s leadership in energy investment and infrastructure.”

“I’m thrilled to be breaking ground with LS GreenLink on its Hampton Roads cable manufacturing and pier facility, and I’m proud that this project was facilitated by tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act that I fought to pass,” said U.S. Senator Kaine. “This facility will create hundreds of high-quality, good-paying jobs, boost the region’s economy, and affirm Virginia’s global status as a clean energy hub.”

U.S. Representative Bobby Scott shared, “I am proud to welcome LS GreenLink to Virginia’s Third Congressional District. Hampton Roads is a leader in offshore wind production and this subsea cable facility is an important piece of the domestic offshore wind supply chain. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, LS GreenLink is utilizing tax credits for projects that expand clean energy. The manufacturing tax credits, which I spearheaded with my colleagues, are bringing high-paying jobs to our local economy and I look forward to seeing the completed facility.”

“This groundbreaking ceremony represents not just a significant investment in the City of Chesapeake but also for the Hampton Roads community,” said Chesapeake City Mayor Rick West. “This investment represents a huge step for the region’s clean energy and offshore wind industries. LS GreenLink’s decision to locate in Chesapeake proves the City’s and region’s commitment to clean, renewable energy. We look forward to future investment from LS and a continued partnership with South Korea.”

Doug Smith, President & CEO of Hampton Roads Alliance, commented, “The Hampton Roads region has long been recognized for its strong maritime and manufacturing capabilities. This significant investment from LS GreenLink in Virginia not only enhances our regional economy but further establishes Hampton Roads as a hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing in the energy sector. We are excited to support LS GreenLink in this endeavor.”

Finally, David White, Executive Director of Virginia Maritime Association, added, “The development of this advanced manufacturing facility in Chesapeake aligns with the strategic growth of Virginia’s maritime industry. This project will provide critical infrastructure for the global energy supply chain while creating high-quality jobs in the region. We are proud to be part of this exciting development and look forward to its future success.”

The initial phase is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2027, with the facility fully operational by the first quarter of 2028. Subsequent phases of the project are planned, allowing LS GreenLink to expand its production capacity and technological capabilities in response to evolving global infrastructure requirements.

The groundbreaking ceremony brought together executives from LS GreenLink, elected officials, industry partners, and local community leaders, all of whom expressed their support for the project’s positive economic and strategic impact on the region.

About LS Cable & System Ltd.

Founded in 1962, LS Cable & System Ltd. is a global leader in power and communication cables and systems. With over 6,500 employees and 35 subsidiaries in 17 countries, LS Cable & System continues to drive innovation in energy transmission and distribution. For more information, visit www.lscns.com.

Senator Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator

Mayor Rick West, City of Chesapeake (right) with Bon-Kyu Koo, President & CEO, LS Cable & System Ltd. (center) and Patrick Y. Shim, Managing Director, LS GreenLink USA, Inc. (left)

Governor Glenn Youngkin (right) with Bon-Kyu Koo, President & CEO, LS Cable & System Ltd. (center) and Patrick Y. Shim, Managing Director, LS GreenLink USA, Inc. (left)

(From left to right) David White, Executive Director, Virginia Maritime Association; Patrick Y. Shim, Managing Director, LS GreenLink USA, Inc.; Doug Smith, President & CEO, Hampton Roads Alliance; Rick West, Mayor, City of Chesapeake; Bon-Kyu Koo, President & CEO, LS Cable & System Ltd.; Glenn Youngkin, Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia; Juan Pablo Segura, Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Commonwealth of Virginia; Gunnar Spengel, Project Director, TenneT TSO GmbH; Gisu Kim, Regional President of North America, LS Cable & System Ltd.; Christopher Price, City Manager, City of Chesapeake

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The U.S. military says a KC-135 refueling aircraft supporting operations against Iran crashed in western Iraq and rescue operations are underway.

The U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, said the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace,” and that the other plane landed safely.

Here’s what is known so far about the tanker, which is the fourth publicly acknowledged U.S. aircraft to crash during the war against Iran:

The KC-135 Stratotanker is a U.S. Air Force aircraft used to refuel other planes in midair, allowing them to travel longer distances and maintain operations longer without landing. The plane is also used to transport wounded personnel during medical evacuations or conduct surveillance missions, according to military experts.

Based on the same design as the Boeing 707 passenger plane, the tanker has been in service for more than 60 years, supporting the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps as well as allied aircraft, according to an Air Force description. The aging plane is set to be phased out as the air force receives a full complement of next-generation KC-46A Pegasus tankers.

Despite upgrades over the years, the KC-135s' age has fueled concern about their reliability and durability.

“The last of these planes were produced in the 1960s,” said Yang Uk, a security expert at South Korea’s Asan Institute for Policy Studies. He added that the transition to the KC-46A has progressed more slowly than expected.

According to the Congressional Research Service, the Air Force last year had 376 KC-135s, including 151 on active duty, 163 in the Air National Guard and 62 in the Air Force Reserve.

A basic KC-135 crew has three people: a pilot, co-pilot and boom operator. Nurses and medical technicians are added in aeromedical evacuation missions.

Refueling typically happens at the back of the plane, where the boom operator is located. A fuel boom is lowered to connect with fighters, bombers or other aircraft. On many of the planes, the boom operator works lying face down while looking out of a window on the underside of the plane.

Some KC-135s can also refuel planes from pods on their wings. The tankers also have room above the fuel stores to carry cargo or passengers if needed.

Refueling tankers could play an increasingly important role if the Iran war drags on, as U.S. aircraft may need to fly longer missions to pursue Iranian forces retreating deeper into the country, said Yang.

It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties from the crash in Iraq. A U.S. official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the developing situation, said the plane was carrying at least five crew members.

A second U.S. official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the other plane involved in the incident was also a KC-135. Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., wrote on X that the other plane landed safely in Israel.

The U.S. Central Command did not elaborate on the circumstances of the crash, but said it “was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.”

Yang said it would be rare for a refueling tanker to be downed by enemy fire because such operations are usually conducted in the rear of combat zones.

The crash came after three U.S. F-15E fighter jets were mistakenly downed last week by friendly Kuwaiti fire.

KC-135s have been involved in several fatal accidents. The most recent happened on May 3, 2013, when a KC-135R crashed after takeoff south of Chaldovar, Kyrgyzstan while taking part in the war in Afghanistan.

In that crash, the crew experienced problems with the plane’s rudder, according to a U.S. Air Force investigation. While they struggled to stabilize the plane, the tail section broke away and the plane exploded midair, killing all three crewmembers onboard.

The most serious mid-air collision involving the plane happened in 1966, when a B-52 bomber carrying nuclear bombs struck a tanker near Palomares, Spain.

The accident caused the tanker to crash, killing four onboard. The disaster led to an extensive decontamination effort to clean up nuclear material dispersed when conventional explosives in the hydrogen bombs detonated after hitting the ground.

Schreck reported from Bangkok. AP writers Ben Finley and Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed.

FILE - A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling tanker aircraft takes off from the Kadena Air Base airfield in Kadena town, west of Okinawa, southern Japan, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae, File)

FILE - A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft performs a flyover during the national anthem before an NCAA college football game between Central Florida and Georgia Tech, Sept. 24, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)