General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. is expanding its presence in Dayton, Ohio, with a new 22,000-square-foot innovation hub dedicated to hardware and software development for U.S. Air Force programs. Developed with Synergy Building Systems, the facility is scheduled to open in Spring 2027 near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
This expansion was announced on September 14, 2026, in Dayton, Ohio, by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, JobsOhio, and the Dayton Development Coalition.
The new site will be located near the company’s existing operations outside the base and will expand its local footprint by more than seven times. Operations will initially focus on employing 50 full-time staff drawn from the local community. The facility is designed to serve as a central hub for open, modular hardware, software, and autonomy development, supporting rapid prototyping, integration, and testing of next-generation uncrewed aircraft systems. It will also house a mission operations center for remote flight control, experimentation, and training in coordination with military and industry partners.
Company leadership noted that the expansion brings its uncrewed systems and sensing expertise closer to a premier technology center and the U.S. Air Force customer, reinforcing the state’s role in national defense. State officials emphasized that the regional aerospace and defense sector provides the infrastructure necessary for companies to conceptualize, build, test, and scale operations rapidly.
The investment follows recent milestones for the company, including a June production contract from the U.S. Air Force to build the new FQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, a semi-autonomous fighter jet developed alongside its longstanding Predator and Reaper platforms.
