General Atomics Develops Drones Costing Up To $50 Million Each

America keeps losing drones worth up to $50 million each. And the company behind them is controlled by two brothers in their 90s.

Meet Neal and Linden Blue, the billionaire brothers behind General Atomics, one of America’s most influential privately held defense companies.

In 1986, they acquired General Atomics from Chevron for a reported $60 million, transforming a nuclear research business into a global defense powerhouse.

Today, the company is best known for developing the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper, military drones that have reshaped modern warfare.

An equipped MQ-9 Reaper can cost up to $50 million, fly for more than 27 hours, and operate at altitudes reaching 50,000 feet. General Atomics’ unmanned aircraft have logged more than 9 million flight hours.

Nearly four decades after their acquisition, the brothers still control the company behind some of America’s most recognizable military aircraft.

And unlike most major defense contractors, General Atomics remains privately held.

How much do you think their defense empire is worth today?