Increased demand for the Predator and Predator B unmanned aircraft systems, primarily from the Air Force, forced General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to expand into a new production complex in the Sabre Springs area of San Diego. The company has begun moving its manufacturing operations — tooling, wing and fuselage assembly and painting — into a 160,000-square-foot building in the Sabre Springs Business Park. Thomas Cassidy, president and CEO, says the building will increase the company’s manufacturing floor space to more than 800,000 square feet and free up production room at its Rancho Bernardo site, where all final aircraft integration is conducted. About 100 of the company’s more than 800 employees in Rancho Bernardo are being affected by the move.

The Predator B built by General Atomics in San Diego. The company is expanding its production complex to handle an increased demand for the unmanned aerial vehicles.

General Atomics has increased its Southern California work force by 15 percent over last year, employing 1,200 in nine locations in San Diego, Victorville and Palmdale, and has about 300 job openings in a variety of fields. It’s holding a job fair March 3 and 5 in Rancho Bernardo.