The Value Proposition
The region offers defense contractors a compelling value proposition: a deep technical talent pipeline from institutions like CSULB, powerful network effects generated by anchor tenants including Anduril and established primes such as Boeing and Northrop Grumman, exceptional logistics infrastructure via Long Beach Airport and the Port of Long Beach, and a local government actively streamlining development approvals for defense-adjacent uses.
The aerospace and defense cluster in Long Beach benefits from decades of manufacturing heritage, starting with the Douglas Aircraft Company and continuing through Boeing's C-17 production. This legacy has created an ecosystem of specialized suppliers, skilled machinists, and engineering talent that new entrants can leverage immediately.
With Anduril's 1.18 million square foot campus serving as the primary anchor, the region is experiencing a renaissance in defense technology investment. The company's presence has catalyzed interest from autonomous systems developers, advanced manufacturing firms, and defense software companies seeking proximity to a major prime contractor.
SF Anduril Campus
New Positions
Space Companies
Air & Sea Access
Key Players
Position your operations alongside the aerospace and defense leaders who have already established a presence in the Space Beach cluster.
Anduril Industries
The anchor tenant driving the cluster's growth. Their 1.18M sq ft Douglas Park campus will employ 5,500+ workers, creating a gravitational pull for defense-tech suppliers and talent.
Rocket Lab
Headquartered in Long Beach, Rocket Lab provides end-to-end space services from launch to satellite manufacturing. Their presence validates the region as a complete space economy hub.
Vast
Building the world's first commercial space station, Haven-1. Vast's Long Beach facility positions the region at the forefront of the emerging in-space economy and orbital infrastructure.
Relativity Space
Pioneering 3D-printed rockets in Long Beach, Relativity represents the future of aerospace manufacturing. Their factory demonstrates how additive manufacturing is reshaping the industry.
Positioned Within a Global Aerospace Corridor
Long Beach occupies a central position within Southern California's aerospace ecosystem—home to legacy primes, next-generation space ventures, and an extensive network of specialized suppliers extending from the South Bay through Orange County.
Boeing Long Beach
Boeing's Long Beach facility represents decades of aerospace heritage—from historic C-17 Globemaster III production through current advanced manufacturing and engineering operations.
Direct presence in Long Beach with an established workforce, supplier relationships, and operational infrastructure—a proven foundation for aerospace collaboration and program execution.
Heritage
80+ Years
SpaceX
Headquartered in Hawthorne, SpaceX's proximity generates substantial gravitational pull for space-technology talent and suppliers throughout the South Bay corridor.
Located just 15 miles from Long Beach, SpaceX's presence amplifies the region's space-technology ecosystem—driving demand for specialized suppliers, testing services, and engineering talent across the corridor.
Distance
~15 mi
Northrop Grumman
A major defense prime with significant operations across Los Angeles County, Northrop Grumman anchors the region's defense industrial base—supporting programs spanning aerospace, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems.
Multiple Southern California facilities—including El Segundo and Redondo Beach—create collaboration opportunities for defense contractors and suppliers seeking proximity to major program activity.
SoCal Sites
10+
Critical Infrastructure
A Long Beach location positions your operations within a regional ecosystem that includes SpaceX (Hawthorne), Northrop Grumman (El Segundo, Redondo Beach), Lockheed Martin (Palmdale), and dozens of Tier 1 suppliers—all within a 50-mile radius. This concentration enables rapid collaboration, access to shared talent pools, and supply chain efficiencies difficult to replicate elsewhere in the nation.