The LA AerospaceSupply Chain Corridor
Space Beach in Long Beach anchors a regional ecosystem spanning six strategic submarket clusters across Los Angeles County. From South Bay engineering centers to North County flight test facilities, this corridor delivers the full spectrum of aerospace and defense real estate capabilities.
6
Submarket Clusters
50+
Mile Radius
$500B+
Annual Port Trade
100+
Aerospace Companies
How the Network Connects
Each submarket cluster serves a distinct function in the aerospace and defense supply chain, with Space Beach Core as the gravitational center attracting next-generation defense technology and space-tech companies.
North County Aerospace
Flight Test & Primes
Central/Westside
Urban Manufacturing
Space Beach Core
Gravitational Center
South Bay Hard Tech
Engineering & R&D
SGV/Industry
Supply Chain
Port Corridor
Global Logistics
Space Beach Core
The gravitational center of Southern California's next-generation aerospace and defense ecosystem. Long Beach and Douglas Park anchor the region's most dynamic cluster of defense technology and space-tech companies.
The Gravitational Center
Long Beach and the Douglas Park corridor represent the nucleus of Southern California's next-generation aerospace and defense ecosystem. Anchored by Anduril's 1.18M SF headquarters campus and surrounded by Rocket Lab, Relativity Space, and Vast, this cluster offers unmatched proximity to launch-ready companies, a deep technical talent pool from CSULB, and direct access to Long Beach Airport and the Port of Long Beach. For defense technology, autonomous systems, and space-tech companies, Space Beach Core provides the density of innovation and operational infrastructure that accelerates growth.
Key Locations
Douglas Park
Master-planned aerospace campus
Long Beach Airport (LGB)
Direct airfield access
Signal Hill
Adjacent industrial
Lakewood
Supporting industrial base
Typical Users
Defense Technology HQ
Companies building autonomous systems, AI/ML platforms, and next-gen defense hardware seeking proximity to Anduril and the DoD ecosystem
Space Launch & Manufacturing
Rocket and satellite manufacturers requiring large-format production facilities with logistics access
Aerospace Suppliers
Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers seeking co-location with prime contractors and launch providers
Key Assets & Anchors
Supporting Submarket Clusters
Five strategic submarket clusters extend the Space Beach ecosystem across Los Angeles County, providing specialized capabilities from engineering R&D to flight test operations to supply chain manufacturing.
Engineering & R&D Nexus
The South Bay corridor from El Segundo through Torrance represents the engineering and R&D backbone of Southern California aerospace. Home to SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, major defense primes in El Segundo (Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, L3Harris), and a dense network of aerospace suppliers, this submarket offers companies direct access to the region's deepest concentration of aerospace engineering talent. The South Bay's mix of Class A office, flex R&D, and light manufacturing space supports the full spectrum of hard-tech operations from concept development through prototype production.
Key Locations
El Segundo
Defense prime headquarters corridor
Hawthorne
SpaceX HQ and Starlink operations
Torrance
Aerospace manufacturing and R&D
Gardena
Supplier and light manufacturing
Carson / Rancho Dominguez
Industrial and distribution
Compton
Heavy industrial and manufacturing
Redondo / Beach Cities
R&D and engineering offices
Typical Users
Engineering & R&D Centers
Companies establishing design, simulation, and prototype development operations near prime contractors
Defense Prime Satellites
Offices and facilities supporting programs at Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and L3Harris
Space-Tech Startups
Early-stage companies seeking proximity to SpaceX and the broader launch ecosystem
Key Assets & Anchors
Global Supply Chain Gateway
The Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles together form the largest port complex in the Western Hemisphere, handling over $500 billion in annual trade. For aerospace and defense companies, this corridor provides critical infrastructure for importing raw materials, exporting finished systems, and managing the complex logistics of oversized and sensitive cargo. The surrounding industrial zones in Wilmington, San Pedro, and Terminal Island offer heavy industrial facilities with direct port access, rail connectivity, and the specialized handling capabilities required for aerospace logistics.
Key Locations
Port of Long Beach
Primary cargo operations
Port of Los Angeles
Adjacent port complex
Wilmington
Port-adjacent heavy industrial
San Pedro
Maritime industrial
Terminal Island
Specialized cargo handling
Typical Users
Aerospace Logistics
Freight forwarders and 3PLs specializing in oversized, sensitive, and ITAR-controlled cargo
Supply Chain Operations
Companies requiring bonded warehousing, customs brokerage, and just-in-time delivery to manufacturing facilities
Heavy Industrial
Operations requiring crane access, heavy floor loads, and direct rail/port connectivity
Key Assets & Anchors
Urban Manufacturing & Creative Tech
The Central LA and Westside industrial markets offer a unique combination of urban accessibility, creative tech adjacency, and legacy manufacturing infrastructure. Vernon and Commerce provide heavy industrial capabilities for aerospace machining and fabrication, while Culver City and West LA offer modern flex space attractive to software-driven defense contractors and dual-use technology companies. This corridor bridges the aerospace supply chain with LA's broader technology and entertainment ecosystems, making it ideal for companies at the intersection of defense, autonomy, and commercial applications.
Key Locations
Vernon / Commerce
Heavy manufacturing and machining
Central LA Industrial
Urban production facilities
Culver City
Tech-forward flex and creative office
West LA / Santa Monica
Defense tech and dual-use startups
Marina del Rey
Adjacent R&D and office
Typical Users
Defense Software & AI
Companies building autonomy, simulation, and AI/ML platforms seeking talent from LA's tech ecosystem
Precision Manufacturing
Machine shops and fabricators serving aerospace primes with tight tolerances and quick turnaround
Dual-Use Technology
Startups commercializing defense-derived technology for commercial markets
Key Assets & Anchors
Flight Test & Prime Manufacturing
The Antelope Valley and North LA County corridor anchored by Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale represents the region's flight test and classified program center of gravity. Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works, Northrop Grumman's B-21 program, and numerous classified aircraft development efforts operate from this corridor. For companies requiring flight test access, classified facility infrastructure, or proximity to major aircraft programs, North County Aerospace offers capabilities unavailable elsewhere in Southern California. The Santa Clarita Valley and Pasadena/JPL corridor extend this ecosystem with R&D facilities and supplier operations.
Key Locations
Palmdale / Lancaster
Plant 42 and flight test operations
Santa Clarita Valley
Valencia industrial and aerospace suppliers
Pasadena / JPL
R&D and space science
Typical Users
Flight Test & Integration
Companies requiring runway access, restricted airspace, and classified facility infrastructure
Aircraft Program Support
Suppliers and contractors supporting Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing aircraft programs
Space Science & R&D
Organizations collaborating with JPL, Caltech, and NASA on deep space and Earth science missions
Key Assets & Anchors
The Supply Chain Backbone
The San Gabriel Valley and City of Industry corridor forms the manufacturing backbone of Southern California's aerospace supply chain. This submarket houses hundreds of machine shops, metal finishers, electronics assemblers, and specialty manufacturers that supply components to primes and Tier 1 contractors throughout the region. With competitive lease rates, ample heavy industrial inventory, and a skilled manufacturing workforce, this corridor enables the cost-effective production that keeps aerospace programs on schedule and on budget. For companies seeking manufacturing scale without premium coastal rents, this submarket delivers.
Key Locations
City of Industry
Large-format manufacturing and distribution
Irwindale
Heavy industrial and aggregate
La Puente
Manufacturing and supplier base
San Gabriel Valley
Distributed supplier network
Typical Users
Tier 2/3 Suppliers
Machine shops, fabricators, and component manufacturers serving aerospace primes
Electronics Assembly
PCB assembly, wire harness, and electronics integration facilities
Distribution & Fulfillment
Regional distribution centers supporting aerospace supply chains