Defense technology company Anduril announced Thursday its plans to expand its presence in Southern California with a new campus in Long Beach, where founder Palmer Luckey grew up. The expansion is projected to create approximately 5,500 new jobs, according to Luckey, and will not involve transferring positions from existing Anduril facilities.

The Long Beach campus will encompass 1.18 million square feet across six buildings, integrating office space with industrial areas dedicated to research and development. Anduril anticipates the facility will be operational by mid-2027. The company's headquarters are located in Costa Mesa, California, and it operates a large manufacturing facility in Ohio.

Luckey told TechCrunch that Long Beach's status as a major aerospace hub influenced the company's decision. He noted the company plans to hire manufacturing workers, technicians, assembly workers, and engineers specializing in electrical, mechanical, and aerodynamics disciplines. Build and test roles, as well as logistics personnel, will also be crucial, given the global distribution of products manufactured at the facility, he said. Luckey highlighted the appeal of fighter jets as a particularly exciting aspect of the Long Beach location.

Anduril specializes in advanced defense technologies, including autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and sensor fusion. The company's products are designed to enhance national security and support military operations. Its expansion into Long Beach signifies a strategic move to capitalize on the region's talent pool and established aerospace infrastructure. The company aims to leverage the new facility to accelerate its research, development, and manufacturing capabilities.

The expansion comes as Anduril continues to secure significant contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense and other government agencies. The company's focus on cutting-edge technologies and rapid prototyping has positioned it as a key player in the defense industry. The Long Beach campus is expected to play a vital role in Anduril's future growth and its ability to deliver innovative solutions to its customers.