General Atomics

  Started in July 1955 as a division of General Dynamics, the main focus was on atomic energy research and controlled fusion.  Their first foray into aerospace was in July 1958 when the Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded a contract to look into a new space propulsion concept using controlled nuclear explosions to drive a large space vehicle into deep space.  The focus was still on fusion as the series of large Doublet fusion machines were built in San Diego, but it hit the national spotlight when the first Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was rolled-out, only six months after receiving a Pentagon contract to demonstrate an advanced concept UAV.  This propelled them to center stage as a major player in the emerging technology of UAVs.  General Atomics expanded their work in aerospace with the development and demonstration of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) in 2004, and the demonstration of the General Atomics designed and manufactured Blitzer electromagnetic railgun in 2009.