General Atomics

General Atomics (GA) is a nuclear physics and defense contractor headquartered in San Diego California. According to its website, GA has been a primary developer of modular helium-cooled nuclear power reactor systems, and its TRIGA® research reactors have operated around the world for over 45 years.

Founded in 1955 as a division of General Dynamics, General Atomics and its affiliated companies now constitute one of the world's leading resources for high-technology systems ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to electromagnetic systems, remotely operated surveillance aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electronic, wireless and laser technologies. In addition, carries out the largest nuclear fusion program in private industry.

Currently GA's largest profits come from it's maufacture of the Predator unmanned aerial drone vehicle.

In 1967 the company was sold to Gulf oil. In 1986 the company was sold to Neal Blue and Linden Blue. Today it remains a private corporation.

Environmental Record:
General Atomics has had a horrendous record of environmental contamination related to its work in mining and refining uranium products. In particular its Sequoya Fuels plant in Gore Oklahoma was the site of numerous reglatory violations. In 1991 Government investigators uncovered documents and other evidence that the company had known for years that uranium from the plant was leaking into underground waters. The Government found uranium in the ground water surrounding the plant at levels 35,000 times higher than Federal law allows.

In November 1992 the plant was ordered shut down by the nuclear Regulatory Commission when an accident resulted in the release of toxic gas. Native Americans for a Clean Environment, an environmental group in Tahlequah, Okla., said 34 people sought treatment as a result of the accident.

Depleted Uranium:
One of the chief products of the Sequoya Fuels plant was Depleted Uranium (DU) produced under contract to the US military. On November 1, 2006 as part of the Defense Authorization Act signed by President George W. Bush, the U.S. Army took charge of removing 1.5 million lbs of leaky depleted uranium drums from the Sequoya Fuels site. 

Controversy
General Atomics raised eyebrows when it spent roughly $660,000 on 86 trips for legislators, aides and their spouses from 2000 to mid-2005. Aaccording to an analysis of travel disclosure records by the [Center for Public Integrity], American Public Media and Northwestern University's Medill News Service:

"While on trips to Turkey in 2004 and Australia in 2005 — some valued at more than $25,000 — staffers attended meetings with officials of foreign governments being solicited to buy the company's unmanned spy plane, the Predator."

General Atomics Vice Chairman Linden Blue defended his company's practises saying. "If you have something, you have to sell it. You have to let people know what its virtues are and let them make an honest decision about whether that is something the public should invest in."

External References
  

Company Information
Head Office General Atomics P.O. Box 85608, San Diego, CA 92186-5608, USA 3550 General Atomics Court, San Diego, CA 92121-1122,

USA Tel: +1-858-455-3000, Fax: +1-858-455-3621 Website