General Atomics plans a drone innovation hub near Wright-Patterson

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems will open an innovation hub near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to develop hardware and software for Air Force programs, the company announced Sept. 14 with Gov. Mike DeWine, JobsOhio and the Dayton Development Coalition.

The 22,000-square-foot facility in Beavercreek will support rapid prototyping, integration and testing of uncrewed aircraft and include a mission operations center for flying aircraft remotely. The company says the space is more than seven times the size of its existing local site, which opened outside the base in 2014.

GA-ASI expects to start with about 50 full-time employees, mostly hired locally, and to open in spring 2027. JobsOhio plans to assist but will disclose terms only after a final agreement, and the company may seek a state Job Creation Tax Credit at a later Tax Credit Authority meeting.