General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. began construction Jan. 14 on a new hangar at El Mirage Airfield in El Mirage, California, adjacent to the company’s Desert Horizon Flight Operations Facility.
The project will add nearly 85,000 square feet of hangar space to support testing and operations of GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The facility will also include space for up to 12 Certifiable Ground Control Stations (CGCS) used to operate the aircraft.
The groundbreaking ceremony included GA-ASI employees and local officials, with remarks from GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue, San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez, and Parkway Construction CEO Ryan Elmer. Parkway Construction is leading the project.
“Breaking ground on a new facility is always an exciting milestone,” said Blue. “As demand continues to grow for the MQ-9B, the most advanced RPA in its class, it’s critical that we expand our facilities to support production and testing.”
International demand for the MQ-9B continues to increase, with customers including the United Kingdom, Canada, and other allied nations. Most recently, Germany approved the purchase of eight SeaGuardian aircraft.
In addition to RPA and CGCS support, the new hangar will feature three aircraft launch pads and four new gate terminals, further expanding GA-ASI’s operational capabilities at El Mirage.
Photo: From left to right: Bart Roper, Ryan Elmer (Parkway), Tuan Nguyen, Jim Burghard, Linden Blue, Jesse Armendarez (San Bernardino County) and Dave Hyatt.