General Atomics

General Atomics is a defense contractor headquartered in San Diego, California, specializing in nuclear physics including nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. The company also provides research and manufacturing services for remotely operated surveillance aircraft, including the Predator drones; airborne sensors; and advanced electric, electronic, wireless, and laser technologies.HistoryGeneral Atomics was founded on July 18, 1955, in San Diego, California as the General Atomic division of General Dynamics "for harnessing the power of nuclear technologies for the benefit of mankind".GA's first offices were in the General Dynamics facility on Hancock Street in San Diego. GA also used a schoolhouse on San Diego's Barnard Street as its temporary headquarters, which it would later "adopt" as part of its Education Outreach program. In 1956, San Diego voters approved the transfer of land to GA for permanent facilities in Torrey Pines and the John Jay Hopkins Laboratory for Pure and Applied Science was formally dedicated there on June 25, 1959. The Torrey Pines facility continues to serve as the company's headquarters today.General Atomics's initial projects were the TRIGA nuclear research reactor and Project Orion.