Matthew Nelson
General Atomics' aeronautical systems business on Wednesday broke ground at the site of a hangar facility for the MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the start of El Mirage Hangar 80 construction in California featured company representatives and local dignitaries, General Atomics said Wednesday.
The 150K-square-foot hangar will facilitate SkyGuardian tests, house ground support tools and feature shipping and receiving areas.
The company plans to hire 30 to 45 employees to work at the new facility.
General Atomics is scheduled to deliver the U.K. air force's first SkyGuardian by early 2020s.
According to the company, Belgium selected the RPA platform to support defense missions and Australian is considering procuring the aircraft.
