GA-ASI breaks ground on 85,000‑sq.-ft. El Mirage hangar to expand MQ‑9B SkyGuardian operations
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems held a groundbreaking on Jan. 14, 2026, for an 85,000‑sq.-ft. hangar at El Mirage Airfield to expand assembly, testing, and support operations for the MQ‑9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian amid rising global orders.
Key takeaways
- New facility: Groundbreaking for a nearly 85,000‑square‑foot hangar adjacent to GA‑ASI’s Desert Horizon Flight Operations Facility at El Mirage Airfield.
- Operational scale: Design includes space for up to 12 Certifiable Ground Control Stations (CGCS), three launch pads, and four gate terminals to expand flight operations.
- Permitting signals growth: CEQA filing for Desert Horizons II (Project PROJ‑2025‑00050) shows potential for significantly larger campus development across 800 acres.
- Local and international impact: Project expected to create construction and technical roles locally while supporting export orders from allied nations.
Overview
What happened: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) held a groundbreaking ceremony on January 14, 2026, for a new ~85,000‑sq.-ft. hangar at El Mirage Airfield in El Mirage, California. The site is adjacent to GA‑ASI’s existing Desert Horizon Flight Operations Facility in the high desert of Southern California.
Purpose: GA‑ASI plans to use the new space to build, assemble, and test the MQ‑9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian family of long‑endurance remotely piloted aircraft (RPA).
A closer look: the project and its footprint
According to GA‑ASI, the hangar will be roughly 85,000 square feet and will sit next to the Desert Horizon Flight Operations Facility. The facility layout includes:
- Up to 12 Certifiable Ground Control Stations (CGCS) for operating aircraft.
- Three aircraft launch pads.
- Four new gate terminals to support expanded flight operations.
GA‑ASI CEO Linden Blue was quoted saying,
“Breaking ground on a new facility is always an exciting day for our company. We continue to fill our order book for new MQ‑9Bs, which represent the latest in RPA technology, so it’s important that we have the right team and facilities in place to build and test these important aircraft.”
Permitting and the broader Desert Horizons II discussion
Public records indicate the El Mirage expansion may be part of a larger project identified as Desert Horizons II. A permitting document (Project PROJ‑2025‑00050) requests approvals across an 800‑acre area and lists potential buildings including a 118,020‑sq.-ft. hangar, a 19,512‑sq.-ft. ground control building, and a 20,000‑sq.-ft. stockroom for UAV manufacturing and testing.
The CEQA filing requests a Conditional Use Permit and Major Variance, signaling pursuit of broader long‑term development at 73 El Mirage Airport Road (APNs: 0457‑041‑02, ‑03, ‑04). Review the CEQA file here: CEQA permitting file for Desert Horizons II (Project PROJ-2025-00050) — https://ceqanet.lci.ca.gov/2025091064/2
Local leaders and contractors at the ceremony
Attendees and speakers included GA‑ASI team members and local officials. Notable participants:
- Linden Blue — GA‑ASI CEO (speaker).
- Jesse Armendarez — San Bernardino County Supervisor, Second District (speaker), highlighting county interest in jobs and economic development.
- Ryan Elmer — Parkway Construction CEO (contractor and speaker), listed as the lead builder for the hangar.
Why MQ‑9B orders matter
GA‑ASI reports growing global demand for the MQ‑9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian. Recent buyers named in coverage include the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany (Germany reportedly ordered eight SeaGuardian aircraft). The MQ‑9B family is designed as a longer‑endurance, multi‑mission RPA for surveillance, maritime patrol, and other missions. Expanding production capacity at El Mirage would help GA‑ASI meet both export orders and domestic requirements.
Company background and operational scale
General Atomics has deep experience in unmanned aircraft systems. Its product lines include the Predator family and platforms such as the MQ‑9A Reaper, MQ‑1C Gray Eagle, MQ‑20 Avenger, and the MQ‑9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian. GA‑ASI frames the El Mirage hangar as part of continued support for long‑endurance RPAs and associated ground systems.
Implications for California
Economic impact: The construction contract with Parkway Construction and the hangar build should produce short‑term construction jobs and potential longer‑term technical positions for manufacturing, assembly, and flight‑test support. For local stakeholders focused on fiscal prudence, this project could expand the county tax base and bolster skilled trades.
Land use and governance: San Bernardino County will be central to permitting Desert Horizons II components. The CEQA filing initiates environmental review and public hearings; residents should expect public comment opportunities as permitting advances.
Security and regulation: Increased RPA activity prompts oversight questions for export controls, airspace safety, and civil‑military coordination. Federal agencies — including the FAA, Department of Defense, and export‑control offices — will be key partners as operations scale.
Environment and community: The high desert hosts sensitive habitats and limited water resources. CEQA review should disclose impacts and mitigation steps; careful planning can align development with local stewardship priorities.
Workforce and education: The expansion could spur technical training, apprenticeships, and partnerships with community colleges and workforce agencies to connect local workers and veterans to aerospace roles.
Investigative angles: what to watch
- Permits vs. announced project: Compare the public CEQA filings for Desert Horizons II with GA‑ASI’s announced 85,000‑sq.-ft. hangar to understand true scope and timelines.
- Operational impacts: Monitor projected flight tempo, FAA coordination, and community effects from additional launch pads and gate terminals.
- Export and regulation: Track foreign military sales, export controls, and oversight as GA‑ASI fills orders from allied nations.
- Jobs and supply chain: Clarify scale and permanence of jobs tied to construction and potential manufacturing at El Mirage versus other GA‑ASI sites.
Sources and further reading
- GA‑ASI press release: GA‑ASI breaks ground on a new hangar in El Mirage — https://www.ga-asi.com/ga-asi-breaks-ground-on-a-new-hangar-in-el-mirage
- UASWeekly coverage: GA‑ASI breaks ground on new hangar at El Mirage Flight Operations Facility — https://uasweekly.com/2026/01/19/ga-asi-breaks-ground-on-new-hangar-at-el-mirage-flight-operations-facility/
- MRO Business Today: GA‑ASI breaks ground on new MQ‑9B hangar at El Mirage Airfield — https://mrobusinesstoday.com/ga-asi-breaks-ground-on-new-mq-9b-hangar-at-el-mirage-airfield/
- AviTrader: General Atomics breaks ground on new MQ‑9B hangar — https://avitrader.com/2026/01/19/general-atomics-breaks-ground-on-new-mq-9b-hangar/
- CEQA permitting file for Desert Horizons II (Project PROJ‑2025‑00050) — https://ceqanet.lci.ca.gov/2025091064/2
Reporting for Times Media Service
