By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, a defense and diversified technologies company celebrated a ribbon cutting event for their opening of the Salina office on Thursday afternoon.
Founded in 1955, the California-based company has expanded with an office in downtown Salina. This location will support the company's Aeronautical Systems division by creating technical manuals and performing software programming, with plans to expand its local technical workforce.
Site Manager Craig Bronson stated General Atomics creates the "predator" or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) with wingspans that range anywhere from around 55 to 79 feet wide. UAS flies surveillance and are being used around the world.
Bronson stated they have logged over 9,000,000 flight hours using the UAS.
General Atomics will impact Salina by bringing in high-paying technical jobs. Bronson said so far, everyone they have hired are people here locally.
President Dave Alexander stated General Atomics are known for flying counter-terrorism, but have now incorporated maritime domain awareness with radars.
KSU Salina has officially partnered with General Atomics, by redeveloping their curriculum surrounding technical writing and software engineering, while supporting their workforce growth.
CEO of KSU Salina, Dr. Alysia Starkey stated students will get a real-world experience through internships.
"They have great careers, salaries and have a very positive culture that would be greatly beneficial for any student to work in," said Starkey. "General Atomics is very much a cultural icon on our campus and are fundamental to what it is that we do here."
The university plans to also grow the partnership in other areas General Atomics would need in the future.