Anduril Industries, a prominent U.S. drone manufacturer headquartered in Costa Mesa, has unveiled plans to establish a significant business campus in Long Beach and Lakewood. This new facility will span 1.1 million square feet dedicated to research and development at Douglas Park, a business complex situated just north of the airport, while the company will maintain its headquarters in Costa Mesa.
Construction is slated to begin this year, with expectations to complete the first building by the end of next year, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. The land for the project is being leased from the Sare Regis Group, known for facilitating the development of the nearby headquarters for aerospace firm Rocket Lab. Although the specific purchase price of the land was not disclosed, a company spokesperson indicated that construction costs would be “in the hundreds of millions.”
The ambitious campus will comprise six buildings that include 750,000 square feet of office space, and an additional 435,000 square feet allocated for research and development. The city’s chamber of commerce estimates that the overall investment will exceed $1 billion. The development is expected to create around 5,500 new jobs, which will encompass roles for software developers, flight-test teams, and research specialists, along with temporary construction jobs.
Anduril, known for its surveillance drones and military AI software provided to the Pentagon, is valued at over $30 billion and currently employs around 7,000 individuals. Recently, the company secured a $23.9 million contract for the delivery of 600 weaponized drones to the U.S. Marine Corps and formed an alliance with Palantir Technologies to jointly pursue government contracts as part of the Pentagon’s cost-reduction strategy.
Co-founded by Palmer Luckey, a former Cal State Long Beach student and Oculus Rift inventor, Anduril’s move represents a shift in the local business landscape. The decision aligns with a trend of major firms relocating to Long Beach; for instance, Pentland Brands, which includes Speedo, announced its North American headquarters’ relocation from Cypress to Long Beach earlier this month.
Mayor Rex Richardson underscored the significance of this development during the State of the City address, framing it as part of a broader initiative to enhance the city’s economic prospects and job opportunities. He characterized Anduril’s expansion as a testament to Long Beach’s capability to attract advanced manufacturing and aerospace entities.
Highlighting the city’s favorable location—being close to key areas like Hawthorne and Torrance and only 90 minutes from their test site in Capistrano—Anduril emphasized the historical significance of Long Beach in U.S. defense and manufacturing, as well as its burgeoning community of aerospace startups. The integration of history, talent, and industrial infrastructure positions Long Beach as an ideal locale for Anduril’s future growth.
This development not only illustrates Anduril’s commitment to innovation but also heralds a promising future for job creation and economic revitalization in the Long Beach area.