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General Atomics

Organization

An American energy and defense corporation that developed the Predator drone.


First Mentioned

4/26/2026, 2:29:39 AM

Last Updated

4/26/2026, 2:34:16 AM

Research Retrieved

4/26/2026, 2:34:16 AM

Summary

General Atomics (GA) is a major American energy and defense corporation headquartered in San Diego, California, specializing in nuclear research and advanced military technologies. Founded in 1955 as a division of General Dynamics and later acquired by the Blue family in 1986, the company has become a pivotal player in the U.S. military-industrial complex. GA is recognized for its development of the TRIGA series of nuclear research reactors and the operation of the DIII-D tokamak, the largest active fusion research facility in the U.S. In the defense sector, its subsidiary General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) is a leader in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), producing the MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, and MQ-1C Gray Eagle. The company also provides electromagnetic systems for the U.S. Navy, including the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS).

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • CEO

    Neal Blue

  • Founded

    1955-01-01

  • Founder

    General Dynamics (founded as a division)

  • Industry

    Aerospace & Defense

  • Employees

    13,000 (Note: Wikidata lists 5,000; Forbes and company site report 13,000)

  • Ownership

    Blue family (Private)

  • Headquarters

    San Diego, California, United States

  • Key Products

    MQ-9 Reaper, MQ-1 Predator, TRIGA nuclear reactors, Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS)

  • Annual Revenue

    $3.2 Billion (2025 estimate)

Timeline
  • General Atomics is founded as a division of General Dynamics. (Source: Wikidata/Forbes)

    1955-01-01

  • The Blue family acquires General Atomics from Chevron. (Source: Forbes)

    1986-01-01

  • General Atomics begins operating its Electromagnetic Systems Group in Shannon, Mississippi. (Source: Mississippi Development Authority)

    2005-01-01

  • GA-ASI successfully completes 'Flight Into Known Icing' (FIKI) flight tests for the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft. (Source: General Atomics Website)

    2024-04-01

  • General Atomics is ranked #182 on Forbes list of America's Top Private Companies with a revenue of $3.2 billion. (Source: Forbes)

    2025-01-01

General Atomics

General Atomics (GA) is an American energy and defense corporation headquartered in San Diego, California, that specializes in research and technology development in the fields of nuclear energy, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other electromagnetic sensors and systems. This includes physics research in support of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion energy. It is a primary supplier of the US stockpile stewardship program's laser inertial confinement fusion research, including the National Ignition Facility. It also operates DIII-D, the largest active tokamak in the US. It developed and maintains the TRIGA series of nuclear research reactors. The company provides research and manufacturing services for unmanned combat aerial vehicles, including its MQ-1 Predator, MQ-1C Gray Eagle, MQ-9 Reaper, and MQ-20 Avenger drones. It also provides airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless, and laser technologies, such as the US Navy's Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System.

Web Search Results
  • General Atomics | Company Overview & News

    General Atomics is a defense and diversified technologies company, founded in 1955 as a Division of General Dynamics and acquired by the Blue family in 1986. GA and affiliated companies operate on five continents and include GA Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). GA-ASI produces a series of unmanned aircraft and provides electro-optical, radar, signals intelligence, and automated airborne surveillance systems. GA’s Electromagnetic Systems Division produces electro-magnetic aircraft launch and recovery systems for the US Navy, satellite surveillance, electro-magnetic rail gun, high power laser, hypervelocity projectile, and power conversion systems. GA is the principal private sector participant in thermonuclear fusion research through its internationally recognized DIII-D and inertial [...] through its internationally recognized DIII-D and inertial confinement programs for the US Department of Energy. GA developed the UCSD Supercomputer Center and has constructed more than 60 TRIGA nuclear research reactors in 24 countries. GA is a leader in development of next-generation nuclear fission and high-temperature materials technologies. Other GA affiliates include General Atomics Europe GmbH with principal facilities in the German States of Saxony and Brandenburg, Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd (South Australia), GA Uranium Resources Group, and the GA-Honeywell uranium conversion partnership. Read Less [...] General Atomics Stats As of February 2026 Industry Aerospace & Defense Founded 1955 Headquarters San Diego, California Country/Territory United States CEO Neal Blue Employees 13,000 ## Forbes Lists #585 ### America's Best Large Employers (2026) Aerospace & Defense #182 ### America's Top Private Companies (2025) Aerospace & Defense #96 ### America's Dream Employers (2026) Aerospace & Defense #210 ### Most Trusted Companies in America (2026) Aerospace & Defense ### America's Best Employers By State (2024) Aerospace & Defense #129 ### Best Employers for Women (2019) Aerospace & Defense More Lists ### General Atomics Financial Summary Select list year 2025 2024 2023 2022 Revenue $3.2B Sources FactSet; Forbes. Revenue $3.2B Sources FactSet; Forbes. Revenue

  • About | General Atomics

    # General Atomics # About Global Progress Through Technology General Atomics is a defense and diversified technologies company, founded in 1955 as a Division of General Dynamics and acquired by the Blue family in 1986. GA and affiliated companies operate on five continents and include GA Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). GA-ASI produces a series of unmanned aircraft and provides electro-optical, radar, signals intelligence, and automated airborne surveillance systems. GA’s Electromagnetic Systems Division produces electro-magnetic aircraft launch and recovery systems for the US Navy, satellite surveillance, electro-magnetic rail gun, high power laser, hypervelocity projectile, and power conversion systems. [...] GA is the principal private sector participant in thermonuclear fusion research through its internationally recognized DIII-D and inertial confinement programs for the US Department of Energy. GA developed the UCSD Supercomputer Center and has constructed more than 60 TRIGA nuclear research reactors in 24 countries. GA is a leader in development of next-generation nuclear fission and high-temperature materials technologies. Other GA affiliates include General Atomics Europe GmbH with principal facilities in the German States of Saxony and Brandenburg, Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd (South Australia), GA Uranium Resources Group, and the GA-Honeywell uranium conversion partnership. [...] The company occupies 8+ million square feet of engineering, laboratory and manufacturing facilities and comprises over 13,000 employees. Click here to download a PDF

  • General Atomics - The Freedom to Explore. The Promise to Deliver.

    # General Atomics The Freedom to Explore. The Promise to Deliver. Defense and Space Manufacturing • San Diego, CA • 150,303 followers • 10,001+ employees ## Overview The freedom to explore. The promise to deliver. General Atomics, based in San Diego, CA, develops advanced technology solutions for government and commercial applications. Privately owned and vertically integrated, we have the freedom to invest in the most innovative technologies, and the resources to deliver them as products for customers around the world. Predator® unmanned aerial vehicles, TRIGA® research reactors, aircraft carrier launch and recovery systems, MagLev transport and fusion energy are some of our most innovative programs. ### Website ### Crunchbase N/A ### LinkedIn [...] ### Website ### Crunchbase N/A ### LinkedIn ### Industry Defense and Space Manufacturing ### Company Size 10,001+ employees 10868 associated members (LinkedIn members who've listed General Atomics as their current workplace on their profile) ### Founded N/A ### Funding Last Round Date: N/A Last Round Type: N/A Total Rounds: N/A Last Round Raised: N/A ### Investors N/A ### Specialties Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Electromagnetic Systems, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Airborne Sensors, Laser Technologies, and Energy ## Locations 3550 General Atomics Ct, San Diego, CA 92121, US ### Get Directions Directions ## Employees Jared Eden (N/A): Hal Aljibury (N/A): Terry Hache (N/A): David Meeker (N/A): [...] General Atomics (1w Edited): The team at General Atomics Integrated Intelligence empowers decision makers by applying innovative data science, scalable software engineering, and advanced visualization to solve meaningful challenges. Join us: #GrowWithGA [Likes: 27, Comments: 0]; General Atomics (2w Edited): General Atomics is proud to celebrate Adrianus “George” Sips, Senior Director of Operations at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility and a GA employee, who has received the distinct honor of being named an American Physical Society Fellow for his outstanding contributions to fusion science. With over 35 years of experience leading research and operations teams at major tokamak facilities worldwide, George has played a pivotal role in advancing tokamak scenario development—which is

  • Welcome to General Atomics | General Atomics

    # General Atomics General Atomics General Atomics Energy Group General Atomics Defense General Atomics Unmanned Aircraft Systems & Sensors General Atomics Commercial Products General Atomics Educational Outreach Programs ## Trending News Post Thumbnail ## General Atomics to Deliver Infrared Payloads for Lockheed Martin's Space Development Agency Tracking Layer Tranche 3 Constellation Contract General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) was awarded a contract from Lockheed Martin to deliver missile warning, tracking, and defense (MWTD) payloads in support of Lockheed Martin’s Tracking Layer Tranche 3 (TRKT3) program for the Space Development Agency (SDA). Post Thumbnail ## GA-ASI Selected by U.S. Navy PMA-281 for Collaborative Autonomy Mission Planning and Debrief Project [...] The U.S. Army is upgrading its MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range (ER) with enhanced electronic intelligence capabilities via a contract awarded to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). ##### General Atomics Events ## GA Footer ### Popular Links ### Popular Links ### Categories ### Categories ### Procurement ### Procurement ### Education ### Education ### Affiliated Companies ### Affiliated Companies [...] General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) was selected by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) PMA-281 for the Collaborative Autonomy Mission Planning and Debrief (CAMP) project. Post Thumbnail ## GA-ASI Completes MQ-9B 'Flight Into Known Icing' Flight Tests General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has conducted a series of flight tests aimed at certifying the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) for Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI). The flight tests began last year, and all planned testing was successfully completed in early April from GA-ASI’s Flight Test & Training Center (FTTC) near Grand Forks, North Dakota, using a company-owned MQ-9B. Post Thumbnail ## U.S. Army Strengthens Gray Eagle® With New ELINT Upgrade

  • Defense technology leader General Atomics expanding operations in Shannon | Mississippi Development Authority

    Headquartered in San Diego, General Atomics produces aerospace systems, submersibles, satellites, hypersonics, missile defense and laser weapon systems for the defense industry. The company has operated its Electromagnetic Systems Group in Shannon since 2005. QUOTES [...] General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems develops advanced product solutions for defense, government and national security customers. To support the production of next-generation defense systems, including Bullseye™, a long-range precision-guided strike missile, GA-EMS is updating and expanding its production line in Lee County with new, fully automated computer numerical control machines. The project increases the company’s production capacity and positions it for future competitive U.S. Department of Defense contracts.

Location Data

General Atomics, John Hopkins Court, Torrey Pines, San Diego, San Diego County, California, 92093, United States

office

Coordinates: 32.8936681, -117.2346083

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