for complex geometries
on milled features
available on prototypes
San Diego projects
CNC Machined Satellite Components for Space Teams
Space teams in San Diego need satellite components that are lightweight, precise, and low-outgassing. We machine aluminum, titanium, and Invar satellite brackets and mounts to ±0.001". AS9100D-aligned documentation on every order.
Space-Grade Materials
Aluminum, titanium, and Invar with full mill cert traceability.
Structural Precision
±0.001" on critical alignment interfaces. CMM inspection.
Space Program Docs
Inspection reports and traceability for space program records.
Unmanned Systems and Advanced Aerospace
San Diego is a global leader in unmanned aerospace systems — General Atomics Aeronautical Systems designs and builds Predator and Reaper UAS platforms in Poway, Northrop Grumman's Rancho Bernardo campus produces Global Hawk and Triton components, and L3Harris's San Diego operations support ISR payloads. NASSCO's naval shipyard, Cubic Defense, and dozens of satellite and avionics companies round out the cluster.
RivCut delivers AS9100-quality machining to San Diego aerospace teams with instant quoting and fixed lead times — UAS structural components, gimbal housings, and sensor mounts that meet General Atomics and Northrop specs.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Predator, Reaper, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAS in Poway
Northrop Grumman (Rancho Bernardo)
Global Hawk and Triton UAS components and integration
L3Harris
ISR payloads, sensors, and communication systems
Cubic Defense
Air combat training systems and mission support
What San Diego Aerospace Teams Usually Order
| Typical quantity | 5–25 first articles · 25–100 low-rate production |
|---|---|
| Common materials | Aluminum 7075-T6 |
| Key requirement | Full cert package: material traceability, FAI report, ITAR compliance |
| Typical lead time | 7–15 business days based on material and complexity |
| Who orders | Engineers and procurement managers at defense primes and aerospace startups |
Satellite Components for San Diego Teams
Solar brackets, antenna mounts, thruster fittings, and separation rings machined to print.
Solar Panel Brackets
Aluminum and titanium solar array bracket assemblies. Lightweight, precise hinge pin holes, and deployment fittings.
Al & TiAntenna Mounts
Aluminum and invar antenna reflector mounts and feed support brackets. Precise alignment holes and pointing features.
Pointing precisionThruster Brackets
Titanium thruster mounting brackets and propellant feed line supports. High-temp and vibration-resistant.
Titanium 6Al-4VSeparation Rings
Aluminum and titanium clampband separation rings for launch vehicle and payload interfaces.
Launch interfacesThermal Control Plates
Aluminum thermal control radiator panels and heat spreader plates. Tight flatness and precise fluid channel machining.
Thermal managementAttitude Control Parts
Reaction wheel mounts, momentum wheel brackets, and magnetic torquer supports from aluminum and titanium.
Precision mounts16 Brackets. 8 Days. Zero NCRs.
A San Diego-area satellite team needed deployment brackets for a LEO constellation build — tight alignment holes for hinge pins, lightweight pocketing to hit mass targets, and hard-coat anodize for thermal cycling in orbit. Teams near companies like General Atomics Aeronautical Systems trust this kind of precision and documentation rigor.
Every part shipped with a complete documentation package:
- CMM dimensional report — every GD&T callout verified
- Mill cert with heat lot number and ASTM B209 compliance
- First Article Inspection report per AS9102
- Hard anodize process cert with thickness verification
What San Diego Aerospace Buyers Should Know
Confirm your supplier's experience with UAS-specific structures
General Atomics programs require lightweight, high-strength machining for airframes designed around sensor payloads.
Ask about gimbal and sensor mount machining
San Diego's ISR cluster requires precision bores, spherical surfaces, and thermal-stable materials for pointing accuracy.
Verify ITAR registration and CUI handling
virtually all General Atomics and Northrop Grumman UAS programs carry export control restrictions.
When Your Local Shop Can't Keep Up
When a prime surges volume, local shops push you back in the queue. We give you fixed lead times, instant quoting, and aerospace-grade documentation — every time. San Diego's aerospace sector demands it.
Documentation-Ready
Dimensional reports, material certs, and process records ship with every order — no chasing paperwork after delivery.
Full Material Traceability
Every bar ships with mill certs and heat lot numbers. Full chain of custody from raw stock to finished part.
CMM Inspection, Every Part
NIST-traceable CMM verification on every critical dimension before anything ships. No sampling — we inspect every part.
5–7 Day Prototype Turnaround
Most first articles ship in under a week. Rush available for simpler geometries. Confirmed ship date at order.
Need our full quality documentation? Email us — we'll send everything your team needs.
From File to Part in 3 Steps
Simple, clear, and designed for fast-moving teams.
Upload & Quote
Upload your STEP or IGES file, select material and finish, and get an instant AI price. Every quote includes a free DFM review.
We Machine & Inspect
Parts run on our CNC mills and lathes with CMM inspection on every order. We verify every critical dimension before shipping.
Ship with Full Docs
Your order ships with dimensional reports, material certs, and full paperwork — everything your quality team needs.
Questions from San Diego Aerospace Teams
Aerospace CNC Machining in Other Cities
We serve aerospace teams in cities across the US.
Upload Your CAD File
Satellite Components, structural brackets, housings, and more — we machine them all. Most orders ship in 5 to 7 business days.
No minimums · 100% Made in USA · Never brokered · Ships anywhere in the US
Currently accepting new projects