GA-ASI breaks ground on 85,000-square-foot hangar at El Mirage to expand MQ-9B testing and operations
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems began construction on Jan. 14, 2026, of an 85,000‑square‑foot hangar at El Mirage Airfield to expand testing, production and operations for the MQ‑9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian amid growing international orders worldwide.
Key takeaways
- Construction started Jan. 14, 2026, at El Mirage Airfield, adjacent to GA‑ASI’s Desert Horizon Flight Operations Facility — see the GA‑ASI press release and UASWeekly.
- The new hangar will be nearly 85,000 sq ft, with space for MQ‑9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian testing and mission support — reported by MRO Business Today.
- Site plan includes room for up to 12 Certifiable Ground Control Stations, three launch pads and four gate terminals (see MRO Business Today and AviTrader).
- Parkway Construction is the lead contractor; speakers at the ceremony included Linden Blue, Jesse Armendarez and Parkway CEO Ryan Elmer (UASWeekly; GA‑ASI press release).
What GA-ASI is building and why it matters
GA‑ASI’s new hangar is a major expansion of its Desert Horizon Flight Operations Facility in the high desert of Southern California. Company materials and industry coverage say the project will add nearly 85,000 square feet of hangar space to support the MQ‑9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian line — see the GA‑ASI press release and UASWeekly.
Facility details
The hangar will include dedicated space for testing and mission support. GA‑ASI says it will house up to a dozen Certifiable Ground Control Stations (CGCS) — the secure consoles used to operate these RPAs — and the site plan calls for three launch pads and four gate terminals (MRO Business Today; AviTrader).
Company perspective
At the Jan. 14 ceremony GA‑ASI CEO Linden Blue framed the build as necessary to meet a growing order book for MQ‑9Bs:
“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.”
(coverage: UASWeekly).
Local leaders and the contractor
Parkway Construction is leading the build. Parkway CEO Ryan Elmer spoke at the event alongside Linden Blue and San Bernardino County Supervisor Jesse Armendarez. Their presence underscores local official support and the project’s pitch as a driver of job creation and regional development (UASWeekly; GA‑ASI press release).
Why GA-ASI is expanding now: demand and exports
Industry coverage links the hangar to rising international orders for the MQ‑9B family. Countries including the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany have placed orders for SkyGuardian or SeaGuardian variants; reporting highlights Germany’s announcement to purchase eight SeaGuardians, part of broader defense modernization among U.S. allies (MRO Business Today; AviTrader).
The MQ‑9B is marketed as a “certifiable” RPA — versions are being developed to meet stricter aviation standards for operation in shared airspace, which can broaden the buyer base beyond military customers to coast guards and national surveillance agencies (MRO Business Today).
Questions an investigative lens raises
The ribbon-cutting details leave open several topics that matter to residents, planners and oversight bodies:
- Jobs and workforce: What jobs will the hangar create? How many will be long‑term operations roles versus short‑term construction? Will GA‑ASI recruit locally or bring in specialized workers? GA‑ASI’s release did not provide firm job figures at the groundbreaking (GA‑ASI press release).
- Airspace and safety: More test flights and added launch pads imply increased operations. How will testing schedules be coordinated with nearby general aviation and commercial routes, and what transparency will there be for residents? (project plan reporting: MRO Business Today).
- Environmental and cultural concerns: The high desert includes fragile ecosystems and cultural sites. Have environmental reviews and tribal consultations been completed or scheduled? Industry coverage outlines construction elements but not full environmental impact statements (AviTrader).
- Export controls and oversight: The MQ‑9B is a dual‑use platform; rising exports to NATO partners raise questions about export approvals, end‑use monitoring and international oversight. Public statements emphasize demand but offer limited detail on export licensing (MRO Business Today).
- Community engagement: Local officials’ presence suggests buy‑in, but residents may seek sustained outreach on noise, traffic, hiring commitments and environmental mitigation — transparency will shape long‑term relations (UASWeekly).
Implications for the Inland Empire
Economic impact
Short term: construction jobs associated with Parkway Construction will arrive during the build phase. Long term: technical, maintenance and operations roles could provide higher‑than‑average wages if GA‑ASI hires locally, supporting local suppliers and training programs (UASWeekly).
Political consequences
Local elected officials have welcomed the project; county leaders may present the expansion as evidence of success attracting advanced manufacturing and defense work. At higher levels, officials who support defense exports may highlight the build while environmental advocates may press for stricter review.
Social effects
New jobs could help families in a region that has faced economic challenges, but effects may include added housing demand, traffic and pressure on local services. Community groups may press for commitments on local hiring, apprenticeships and workforce development.
Cultural relevance
The high desert contains important landscapes and cultural resources for tribal nations and long‑time residents. Construction and increased flight activity could alter public uses of nearby open spaces; planners and GA‑ASI will need to engage with tribes and conservation groups.
Practical applications for residents
- Employment opportunities: Watch for hiring announcements and potential partnerships with community colleges and trade schools for avionics, maintenance and ground control training.
- Travel and traffic: Construction traffic and employee commutes may increase on roads serving El Mirage; county agencies should provide mitigation plans.
- Safety and airspace updates: Residents should seek clear information on test schedules, safety procedures and incident reporting channels.
Sources and further reading
- GA‑ASI breaks ground on a new hangar in El Mirage — GA‑ASI press release
- UASWeekly coverage of the groundbreaking
- MRO Business Today: GA‑ASI breaks ground on new MQ‑9B hangar at El Mirage Airfield
- AviTrader: General Atomics breaks ground on new MQ‑9B hangar
Reporting notes
This article draws on GA‑ASI’s public announcement and industry reporting cited above. Local officials at the groundbreaking included Linden Blue, Jesse Armendarez and Ryan Elmer (UASWeekly; GA‑ASI press release). Additional details on jobs, environmental review status, flight testing schedules and export oversight were not provided in initial releases and warrant follow‑up with GA‑ASI and San Bernardino County planning offices.
