Palmer Luckey says the coolest thing about Anduril expanding to Long Beach is the fighter jets

Anduril, a defense technology firm, has unveiled plans to enhance its footprint in Southern California with a significant new campus in Long Beach, the hometown of its founder, Palmer Luckey. This expansion is set to create approximately 5,500 new jobs, marking a considerable boost to the local economy. Luckey emphasized to TechCrunch that these positions will be newly created rather than transfers from other locations. The upcoming Long Beach facility will cover an impressive 1.18 million square feet, consisting of six buildings that will house both office spaces and research and development areas. Expected to be operational by mid-2027, this campus will further solidify Anduril's presence in a key aerospace region, as Luckey pointed out. The workforce at the new site is intended to mirror that of Anduril's headquarters in Costa Mesa, with a focus on recruiting manufacturing workers, technicians, assembly personnel, and engineers specializing in various fields such as electrical, mechanical, and aerodynamics. Luckey also highlighted the need for logistics experts, given the global distribution of the products being developed at the facility. While the announcement of job creation has garnered attention, Luckey expressed his personal excitement about the potential for producing autonomous fighter jets at the new campus. He described the prospect of manufacturing jets capable of taking off directly from the factory and engaging in missions as 'extremely cool.' Anduril is known for its innovative military drones and autonomous aircraft across multiple domains. Notably, the company introduced the Fury fighter jet in 2025, designed for autonomous flight, with AI-driven operation instead of traditional remote piloting. The Fury recently completed its inaugural test flight in California, showcasing Anduril’s cutting-edge advancements in military technology.