AT2 Aerospace Has Big Plans for SCV
The future of air travel may soon be spreading its wings, or rather preparing for takeoff, in the Santa Clarita Valley, with an exciting announcement from Lockheed Martin.
The aerospace giant announced its newest intellectual property, AT2 Aerospace, is going to be designed and developed in the Santa Clarita Valley, just outside city limits.
The design facility is slated for above the “bustling Bridgeport Marketplace,” according to a release from the SCV Economic Development Corp., which also talks about the organization’s effort to draw quality investment from companies like AT2 for its targeted sectors that include aerospace in this month’s issue.
AT2 Aerospace is essentially looking to develop cutting edge airship technology for its new aircraft, the Z1, with a motto of “No roads, no problem.”
A few of the advantages touted by the developers of the technology include a larger cargo bay and payload possible than traditional sea and land cargo, as well as a faster speed than sea and land transportation.
The AT2 Aerospace team is expected to be led locally by Bob Boyd, whose previous professional experience includes more than 20 years as a program manager for Lockheed Martin, before being named president and COO at AT2. The team is supposed to number about 50 in size by fall of this year, according to an announcement by the SCVEDC.
“For some time, we have been in search of a transition partner to continue development of this important commercial work,” according to Lockheed’s website. “We are pleased to share that the hybrid airship IP and related assets have been transitioned to a newly formed, commercial company called AT2 Aerospace.”
The designers are looking at commercial and humanitarian applications for the technology, as the company “believes in the potential for hybrid airships to transform global transport.”
The tech offers a number of advantages, according to promotional material provided by Lockheed, which includes the ability of the Z1, the airship’s name, to land and takeoff from almost any location on the planet.
The ship’s design also is intended to maximize efficiency while minimizing
emissions at a fraction of the cost of traditional cargo aircraft.
Jason Crawford, director of community development for Santa Clarita, noted while the project might be outside its borders, it was great news for the business community.
“We’re just happy to have them here in the Santa Clarita Valley,” Crawford said, “High-quality jobs anywhere in the SCV is great because it’s another chance for our residents to work locally.”
The airships themselves are expected to be manufactured in North Carolina, according to the SCVEDC, which also noted the aircraft “should be flying by mid-2025.”
For more information about the project, visit