Aerospace Sector Brochure

OKLAHOMA A WO R L D H U B F O R A E R O S PA C E

The Guide to Oklahoma’s Aerospace & Defense Industry

Oklahoma Population: 4,095,393 | Area: 181,195 km2 | GDP $212.7B

oklahoma offers a stable pro-business environment

oklahoma is centrally located

oklahoma is a constitutional right-to-work state

#1

#4

20-30%

lowest cost of doing business

lowest corporate tax rate in the u.s

CNBC America’s Best States for Business, 2025

State Business Tax Climate Index Tax Foundation, 2025

lower energy costs than the national average Energy Information Administration

Location & Transportation Network In the U.S., it doesn’t get any more central than Oklahoma.

131 public-use airports

99 million people

including two international airports — 94% of Oklahoma’s population is within a 30-minute drive of a jet-capable airport.

within 500 miles — Oklahoma has a population of approximately 4 million, with nearly 1.5 million in the Oklahoma City metro and over 1 million in the Tulsa metro.

3 intersecting interstate highways offering access to every corner of the country.

4 inland ports

2,600+ miles

including one of the largest, most inland, ice-free river ports in the U.S.

of Class-I rail lines

3

Oklahoma Aerospace Industry Overview Aerospace companies find success operating in Oklahoma — and for good reason. The state is a major hub for MRO, flight training, defense operations and manufacturing.

TH E TWO L ARGEST MRO FAC ILITI ES I N T H E WO R L D The American Airlines Maintenance and Engineering Center, the largest commercial MRO, employs more than 5,500 in Tulsa; the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex at Tinker Air Force Base is the largest air depot maintenance facility for the U.S. Department of Defense and employs approximately 26,000.

133,000+ employees

smarter supply chains

1,100+ aerospace entities

More than 133,000 Oklahomans are employed in Oklahoma’s aerospace and defense industries.

Strategic Sourcing OMA offers personalized assistance in identifying reliable regional partners and domestic alternatives to ensure operations are secure and competitive from day one.

More than 1,100 aerospace entities, including manufacturers, MRO, research and development, military and others.

AE ROSPACE INDUSTRY ECO NO MI C I M PACT Aerospace and Defense is Oklahoma’s second-largest sector with an economic impact approaching $44 billion annually. Additionally, aerospace is one of the state’s fastest-growing industries.

$10.6B $21.8B

Airport Off-Airport Aviation Military Aviation

4

$13.9B

Oklahoma vs. the Competition See how Oklahoma stacks up against other aerospace locations.

Labor Intensive Mfg. New Firm Tax Rank & Effective Rate (2021)

Capital Intensive Mfg. New Firm Tax Rank & Effective Rate (2021)

HQ New Firm Tax Rank & Effective Rate (2021)

Wages Salaries and Proprietor Earnings (2025 Aerospace & Defense)

Corporate Income Tax Rates (2026)

Cost of Living Index (2025 Annual)

Avg. Electricity PriceIndustrial Cents/kWh (2024)

Oklahoma

1st | 2.2%

6th | 6.7%

2nd | 8.1%

$80,100

4.00%

84.7

5.84

Alabama

7th | 5.3%

14th | 9.0%

4th | 9.1%

$93,345

6.50%

88.1

7.25

California

45th | 18.7%

45th | 25.4%

35th | 19.9%

$169,358

8.84%

143.1

21.53

Colorado

49th | 29.9%

50th | 33.5%

40th | 21.0%

$131,427

4.40%

103.1

8.62

Florida

36th | 14.8%

42nd | 24.5%

28th | 16.9%

$105,619

5.50%

101.4

8.50

Georgia

6th | 5.2%

20th | 11.2%

29th | 17.6%

$103,972

5.19%

92.2

7.21

Kansas

3rd | 3.0%

2nd | 3.0%

24th | 15.7%

$90,017

7.00%

88.1

7.73

Missouri

4th | 5.0%

27th | 12.3%

22nd | 15.2%

$94,784

4.00%

88.9

7.87

North Carolina

8th | 6.0%

29th | 13.1%

1st | 7.1%

$104,823

2.00%

97.9

7.77

New York

19th | 10%

7th | 7.1%

50th | 33.5%

$142,437

7.25%

125.8

9.17

Ohio*

5th | 5.0%

3rd | 3.7%

27th | 16.6%

$96,776

--

94.6

7.10

South Carolina

10th | 7.5%

39th | 22.2%

25th | 15.9%

$83,775

5.00%

92.7

6.84

Texas*

40th | 17.0%

48th | 28.3%

36th | 20.0%

$118,633

--

91.1

6.12

Utah

34th | 13.9%

24th | 11.6%

31st | 18.1%

$106,023

4.50%

99.5

7.86

State

*Texas & Ohio do not have a corporate state income tax but do have a gross receipts tax Sources: Tax Foundation, EIA, C2ER, Lightcast

5

Oklahoma’s Aerospace Cluster Map Oklahoma’s aerospace and defense clusters are comprised of 1,100+ entities, including manufacturers, MRO, research and development, military and others.

Northwest Region Vance AFB Aircraft Structures International Corporation (ASIC) Vantage Plane Plastics

Central Region (Oklahoma City) Tinker AFB Federal Aviation Administration AAR Acorn Capital Management AeroCoreX Boeing CAE Critical Components Delaware Resource Group Field Aerospace Frontier Electronic Systems Corp.

GE Aerospace General Dynamics KIHOMAC Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

Lockheed Martin Long Wave Inc. Metrea Special Aerospace Mint Turbines Moog Northrop Grumman North Star Scientific Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business Premium Aerospace Center Qualified Coating Services Raytheon Technologies Corp.

Rolls-Royce Skydweller SkyWest

Southwest Region Altus AFB Fort Sill Epirus BAE Systems Blue Halo, an AV company Camgian Counter UAS Center of Excellence Duncan Machine Products

6

FireHawk FISTA (Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator) Oklahoma Air & Space Port Raytheon Missile & Defense

Northeast Region (Tulsa) Tulsa Air National Guard Accurus Aerospace Corp.

Agile Space Industries American Airlines MRO Boeing CBC Global Cherokee Nation Aerospace & Defense Consolidated Turbine Specialists CymSTAR Ferra Aerospace FlightSafety Intercontinental Jet Service Corp.

L3Harris Lufthansa Technik Malone's CNC Machining MST Manufacturing NORDAM Orizon Aerostructures Skyway36 Droneport TAT/Limco Valence Surface Technologies Vertical Aerospace WHI Global WindShape, Inc

Southeast Region McAlester Army Ammunition Plant AERO Component Repair Choctaw Defense Choctaw Nation Emerging Aviation Technology Center Enviro Systems King Aerospace

7

Aerospace Assets National Weather Center

Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport

The NWC is the largest confederation of federal, university and private sector weather and climate research, education, operational and public outreach organizations on the planet.

The Norman facility is the headquarters for severe storm tracking and prediction across the U.S.

One of 14 FAA-licensed U.S. spaceports, the Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport is a public-use airport that includes a 13,503 feet by 300 feet all-weather runway with unrestricted airspace, 150-mile polar orbit spaceflight corridor, ATC, Telemetry and Monitoring room and an 1,100-acre industrial park with hundreds of acres available for lease/development.

National Severe Storms Laboratory

FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman conducts research on both cold and warm season hazardous weather events, and collaborates with both the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University to characterize severe storms using UAS.

The Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, located in Oklahoma City, provides critical products and services that touch all aspects of aviation. The center directly supports the safe and efficient operations of the national and international aviation system, and trains 76,000 students annually.

Oklahoma’s Advanced Air Mobility, Unmanned Systems and Counter-UAS Unmanned systems and advanced air mobility are key priorities. The state’s 3 research universities are setting themselves apart nationally through degree programs, facilities, research, grants and more, with emphasis on environmental sensing, defense and weather prediction. Additionally, companies like Kratos Defense, Skydweller, Vigilant Aerospace and WindShape are advancing the industry here. Key assets and test sites statewide set the stage for research & development, manufacturing and more.

9

UA S KEY ASSETS & TEST SITES

UAS assets, including research and development facilities, defense accelerators and aerospace support operations.

»

Camp Gruber Joint Maneuver Training Center

»

Choctaw Nation Emerging Aviation Technology Center

»

OSU Legion Airfield

»

Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport

»

OSU CUAS COE

»

OSU Unmanned Aircraft Flight Station

»

OSU LaunchPad Research Center

»

Skyway36 Droneport

»

OSU OAIRE

»

OSU Skyway Range

»

»

FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center

OU Kessler Atmospheric and Ecological Field Station

»

Fires Innovation Science & Technology Accelerator (FISTA)

»

OU Radar Innovations Laboratory

»

Fort Sill Find out more about Advanced Air Mobility, Unmanned Systems and C-UAS in Oklahoma.

8

Military Installations Spaceport FAA Center National Weather Center International Airports Commercial Airports

845,000+

Jet-Capable Runways

acres of uas test sites

“Our decision to establish roots in Oklahoma has proven to be a strategic win that only gets stronger with time. From our core operations in Oklahoma City to our newest expansion into Bristow, we continue to find the ideal environment for growth and success. The state’s unique combination of a highly skilled workforce, incentives, resources and specialized infrastructure—like Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport—makes it the clear choice for any leader in the defense and aerospace sectors.”

- Steve Fendley PRESIDENT, UNMANNED SYSTEMS DIVISION KRATOS DEFENSE & SECURITY SOLUTIONS INC 9

Oklahoma’s Defense Industry Oklahoma has been a key player in the defense and homeland security industry since World War II. With the largest DoD air depot, a central location and strong military presence, Oklahoma offers defense companies the expertise and strategic advantage necessary for success.

$21.8B

133,000+

in economic activity from military aviation

workers in military aviation

5 MILITARY INSTA LL ATIONS »

Tinker Air Force Base

TO P DEF EN SE CO N T R ACTO R S O PER AT I N G I N O K L A H O M A

»

Vance Air Force Base

»

AAR

»

Fort Sill

»

Aviation Training Consulting, LLC

»

Altus Air Force Base

»

BAE Systems

»

McAlester Army Ammunition Plant

»

Boeing

»

7 National Guard assets ­— 2 Air National Guard campuses and 5 Army National Guard complexes

»

Booz Allen Hamilton

»

CAE

»

Camgian

»

CymSTAR

»

Delaware Resource Group

»

Dynetics

»

FlightSafety

Sill, Oklahoma, purpose-built

»

GE Aerospace

to accelerate innovation for the Fires and

»

General Dynamics

»

Infinite Composites

»

Kratos Defense

installations, FISTA delivers secure integration

»

L3Harris

labs, advanced STEM Lab capabilities and

»

Lockheed Martin

»

Moog Inc.

»

Northrop Grumman

operational use. Collaborating with municipal,

»

Pratt & Whitney

state and federal authorities, FISTA co-locates

»

Raytheon Technologies

»

SAIC

»

Vertex

F ISTA INNOVATION PA RK is a defense-focused research & development and science & technology hub in Lawton-Fort

Air Defense communities. Working in direct coordination with the two Cross-Functional Teams located at Fort Sill and other military

specialized facilities—including two anechoic chambers—to rapidly develop, test and transition technologies from concept to

industry, academia and government to strengthen national security missions while driving high-skill jobs, workforce development and economic growth across Oklahoma.

10

The Premier Inland Hub for Commercial Space Oklahoma is the nation’s rising center for the aerospace industry.

Strategically positioned and infrastructure-rich, the state offers a seamless ecosystem where companies can design, test, manufacture and launch the next generation of space technology.

The Gateway: Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport Located in Burns Flat, the Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport is one of only 14 FAA-licensed spaceports in the U.S. and the only one with a functional spaceflight corridor not shared with major military or commercial hubs.

Massive Infrastructure: Home to one of the longest runways in North America—13,503 feet by 300 feet—capable of handling any spacecraft currently in operation or development.

The “Infinity One” Corridor: A dedicated 152-mile-long spaceflight corridor that allows for rapid, frequent horizontal launches and high-inclination orbits.

At the Spaceport, Dawn Aerospace is currently conducting regular suborbital flights with the Mk-II Aurora spaceplane. Oklahoma serves as the U.S. base for this revolutionary vehicle, providing researchers and commercial partners with frequent, low-cost access to microgravity.

Across the state in Tulsa, Agile Space Industries is creating a national space hub with its new $200 million Space Test Center, a state-of-the-art propulsion ecosystem dedicated to closing critical gaps in rocket engine testing.

Dawn Aerospace

“Agile is proud to be a pioneer in Oklahoma’s space renaissance.

We will act as a magnet, and be the nucleus of a new space cluster, by addressing critical shortages in advanced in-space testing.

This addresses a national defense imperative, accelerates space exploration and catalyzes commercial missions for the benefit of the wider economy.”

- Chris Pearson CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AGILE SPACE INDUSTRIES 11

Oklahoma’s Aerospace Workforce

#1 in u.s. for high school aviation curriculum (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)

124 ,000 + PEO PL E A R E E M PLOYED in Oklahoma’s aerospace and defense industries, including engineers, sheet metal mechanics and skilled pilots.

Having a talented, easily accessible workforce is a key component to the success of any business. We have the tools, resources and business-friendly policies in place to help your business hire a qualified workforce – and sustain it.

17 schools participating (Choose Aerospace, 2025-2026 school year)

C HO O S E A E R O S PAC E Oklahoma’s CareerTech System provides the Choose Aerospace aviation maintenance program to any Oklahoma school to address the growing need for more certified mechanics, supporting industry growth and existing workforce turnover.

149 schools taught “you can fly” curriculum

PREPA R I N G A WO R K FO R C E FOR T H E F UTU R E

(2025-2026 school year)

the need for a skilled workforce in the aerospace and

In Oklahoma, aerospace education starts early. Recognizing aviation industry, many Oklahoma high schools offer aviation curriculum developed by the Aircraft Owners & Pilots

28%

Association (AOPA). The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace

increase in participation

companies. For the 2025-2026 school year, 149 Oklahoma

(2025-2026 school year)

& Aeronautics offers the four-year “You Can Fly” curriculum free to schools, creating a future workforce for Oklahoma schools taught this curriculum to students, an increase of 28% over the previous school year.

Aerospace Industry Wage Profile Wages in Oklahoma’s Aerospace & Defense sector are more than 30% lower than the national average.

Description

Current Jobs (2025)

EntryLevel Wages

Experienced -Level Wages

Okla. Avg. Hourly Earnings

National Avg. Hourly Earnings

Aerospace Engineers

1,522

$41.06

$69.16

$54.39

$68.07

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

9,631

$28.57

$56.32

$37.96

$38.78

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging and Systems Assemblers

302

$19.02

$28.47

$24.37

$31.99

Architectural and Engineering Managers

2,007

$60.93

$87.12

$79.95

$84.40

Avionics Technicians

681

$26.98

$34.73

$31.01

$39.59

Computer and Information Systems Managers

4,080

$47.63

$80.46

$66.76

$90.07

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

1,810

$19.35

$28.02

$23.35

$25.43

Computer Programmers

1,517

$35.15

$77.90

$52.46

$49.52

Computer Systems Analysts

3,482

$37.07

$62.18

$50.56

$54.07

Electrical Engineers

1,925

$40.39

$61.21

$53.02

$58.41

Electrical, Electronic and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers and Finishers

2,711

$16.95

$21.79

$20.03

$22.10

Engineers, All Other

1,381

$39.17

$65.14

$52.27

$60.09

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers

10,118

$24.22

$41.26

$34.82

$35.73

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

805

$28.46

$40.55

$35.39

$33.61

Industrial Engineers

2,597

$37.97

$57.96

$49.50

$51.90

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

6,590

$24.53

$37.76

$31.85

$32.25

Industrial Production Managers

1,969

$39.14

$66.24

$55.99

$61.42

Information Security Analysts

1,552

$27.50

$56.53

$44.49

$61.36

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers and Weighers

7,092

$19.28

$30.21

$26.57

$24.97

Logisticians

4,475

$30.41

$50.11

$41.23

$42.05

Machinists

4,209

$21.06

$29.26

$25.27

$27.60

Materials Engineers

236

$38.72

$56.33

$50.72

$55.95

Mechanical Engineers

2,373

$37.78

$54.17

$47.67

$53.31

Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators

13,632

$16.57

$21.49

$19.06

$21.60

Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks

5,889

$19.97

$32.43

$26.80

$29.05

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

1,674

$26.02

$44.03

$34.08

$52.98

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters

969

$20.69

$27.47

$24.06

$25.40

Training and Development Specialists

4,791

$20.86

$37.65

$30.67

$35.65

Welders, Cutters, Solderers and Brazers

10,849

$19.48

$28.51

$24.24

$26.68

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Fueling Oklahoma’s Aerospace Future Oklahoma’s premier higher education institutions are the state’s engine for innovation, blending world-class research with specialized workforce training to power the global aerospace and defense sectors.

H I G HER EDUCATION SUPPO RTS AVI AT I O N & A E R O S PAC E

17

1st

21,000

Oklahoma colleges and universities offer aerospace and engineering degrees and certifications

university in the nation with a PhD program focused on UAS design at Oklahoma State University

average enrollments for aerospace and support programs in Oklahoma over the last five years

The University of Oklahoma’s Executive MBA in Aerospace and Defense is one of only two programs of its kind in the nation, designed exclusively for professionals in the A&D sector, including government, military and industry. The institution also offers three Graduate Certificates, including Commercial Space Application. Graduates now work with companies including Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, RTX and the Federal Aviation Administration.

O K L AHOMA U NIVERSITIES ACC EL ER AT E R ES E A R C H & DEVELO PM E N T The University of Oklahoma (OU) advances the aerospace frontier through innovative research & development in unmanned systems, space navigation, and sustainable energy materials. By translating

#1

Tinker Air Force Base, OU directly shapes the workforce and technology

ou best college for aviation

essential to Oklahoma’s future economy.

- FlyingMag.com

research into field-ready intellectual property and partnering with

The Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research & Education (OAIRE) at Oklahoma State University (OSU) works to be the global leader in emerging aerospace technologies, driving the cutting edge of emerging technology and acting as a trusted agent in the industry while also building upon OSU’s deep technical expertise.

Rose State College’s Aerospace and Cybersecurity Incubator is bridging the gap between small businesses and key partners, including the DoD military branches, federal agencies and aerospace or aero-adjacent industry leaders. The incubator aims to increase the

25% increase in aerospace enrollments in 3 years

number of small business suppliers serving these sectors, fostering growth and innovation.

The Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute at The University of Tulsa (UTulsa) focuses on developing, testing and deploying cyber research outcomes and technology developments. UTulsa leverages nationally recognized cyber leaders in academia and research, in addition to Tulsa’s dynamic business and innovation community, to meet the global demand for cyber talent and technology.

14

O K L AHOMA’ S CA REERTEC H NETWO R K Oklahoma’s CareerTech has the ability to respond quickly to the aerospace industry’s need to develop skilled workers through specialized training programs and facilities located across the state.

29

9

62

technology center districts

technology centers with aerospace-focused certification, training and testing

campuses statewide

CareerTech covers all aspects of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aircraft manufacturing and supporting industries, and can customize any of their courses to meet a particular industry’s need to include incorporation of the company’s standards.

AE ROSPACE- REL ATED PROGRA MS Over the next five years, Oklahoma CareerTech projects more than 10,000 graduates from its aerospace-related programs.

Description

2020-2021

2021-2022

2022-2023

2023-2024

2024-2025

Aerospace Maintenance Pathway (A&P Mechanics)

286

270

291

356

521

Aerospace Sheet Metal Technician

62

13

127

89

123

Production Pathway (Machinists)

220

219

250

263

250

Programming & Software Development Pathway (Software)

61

69

102

154

119

Welding & Metal Fabrication Pathway (Metal Workers)

653

665

748

889

876

Private Pilot Ground School

34

33

32

29

31

“Oklahoma CareerTech is a leader in pipelining high school and post-secondary students to aerospace careers via strategic partnerships. Their efforts are helping provide the required workforce for aerospace businesses in the state.”

- Ryan Goertzen VICE PRESIDENT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AAR 15

Incentive Programs Oklahoma has some of the lowest tax rates and some of the best tax incentives in the nation.

With some incentives, businesses can choose between a cash incentive or a tax credit package, and in some cases, qualifying businesses can take advantage of both programs. The following are incentives often utilized by aerospace companies.

5% of payroll

free analysis

$5,000

covered when creating new full-time positions, above Oklahoma employees average wages

The Oklahoma Team helps identify all state and local incentives applicable to each project

individual tax credit for eligible engineers employed in the aerospace industry

QUA LIT Y J O B S PRO G R A M Cash payments of up to 5% of new payrolls for up to 10 years »

$2.5 million annual payroll within 3 years of start date

»

Create new full-time positions

»

Pay new Oklahoma employees average wages above the state index wage

S M A LL E M PLOY E R QUA LIT Y J O B S PRO G R A M Cash payments of up to 5% of new payrolls for up to 7 years »

Qualifying small employer (500 employees or less)

»

Create new full-time positions

»

Pay new Oklahoma employees average wages above the state index wage

2 1 S T CE NT U RY QUA LIT Y J O B S Cash payments of up to 10% of new payrolls for up to 10 years. »

Create 10 new full-time positions within 3 years.

»

Pay average wage of typically 300% of the average county wage

»

Requires 50% out-of-state sales

I N V E S TM E NT/ N E W J O B S TA X CR E D IT PACK AG E Provides growing manufacturers with a substantial tax credit based on either an investment in depreciable property or on the addition of full-time-equivalent employees engaged in manufacturing, processing or aircraft maintenance. »

Choice of tax credit based on investment or new employees

»

5-year state tax credit on the greater of 1% per year of investment in new depreciable property or $500 per new job

»

Credit doubles to 2% or $1,000 per employee in Enterprise Zones or for investments of $40 million

16

B U S I N E S S E XPA N S I O N I N CE NTI V E PRO G R A M Annual cash payments »

Helps existing companies expand in Oklahoma

»

Targets major capital investments in depreciable items like equipment and buildings

»

Qualifying companies may choose between direct cash payments or payments that service private bonds

E N G I N E E R WO R K FO RCE TA X CR E D IT FO R A E RO S PACE Employer Benefits New engineer graduates »

50% tax credit for reimbursed tuition costs for first 4 years of employment

Hire Oklahoma graduates »

Up to 10% of wages paid during first 5 years of employment (Maximum of $12,500 per employee annually)

Hire non-OK graduates »

Up to 5% of wages paid during first 5 years of employment (Maximum of $12,500 per employee annually)

Employee Benefits Engineers currently employed in the aerospace industry are eligible to receive individual tax credit up to $5,000 per year for 5 years.

TR AINING FOR INDUSTRY PRO GRA M A program of Oklahoma’s CareerTech System, the Training for Industry Program (TIP) provides low- to no-cost training for virtually most industry sectors. Whether the company is new to Oklahoma or an expansion, TIP offers services, including: training needs assessment and customized training program; training provided on-site or alternate locations; training delivered through local CareerTech centers throughout Oklahoma; reimbursement of training costs and more.

F IVE -YEAR AD VA LO REM EXEMPT I O N A qualifying company can be exempt for 5 years from ad valorem taxes upon completion of new or expanded facilities. This incentive is available for manufacturing, research and development, warehouse and distribution, and certain computer/data processing services, refineries or aircraft repair companies.

N EW M AR KET TAX C REDITS A federal incentive created to spur private investment in low-income urban and rural communities, investors receive a 39% federal tax credit.

OTH E R I N CE NTI V E S »

Each community in Oklahoma typically has local incentives available to companies expanding in or relocating to their city.

»

Several aerospace companies and airport properties were designated Federal Opportunity Zones and potentially have additional state level benefits for qualified companies.

17

Oklahoma Aerospace Exports to the World Over the past decade, Oklahoma’s exports have surged by more than 141%, fueled by a robust $210 billion real GDP and trade partnerships spanning 180 countries. Aerospace remains the state’s second-largest export category; in 2025, exports of aircraft, engines and parts reached $1.2 billion. This performance demonstrates significant sector resilience in a challenging year for the global industry, following a record-breaking $1.38 billion in exports during 2024.

141%

$1.2B

Aerospace exports from Oklahoma have grown by 141% in the past 10 years.

In 2025, exports of aircraft, aircraft engines and parts totaled $1.2 billion.

I N TER NATIONA L TRA DE & INVEST M EN T »

Over the past five years, FDI companies have announced $6.35 billion in capital investments into Oklahoma.

»

These companies project the creation of more than 5,400 direct new jobs with an average wage of more than $65,500.

»

Major sources of foreign investment in Oklahoma include Canada, Japan, UAE, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, Ireland, Australia, Mexico and Italy.

»

The largest international employers in the state are companies headquartered in Mexico, Ireland, France and Germany.

TO P FOR EIG N INVESTMENTS IN OK L A H O M A Business Establishments in Oklahoma

Employment in Oklahoma

united kingdom

96

8,448

germany

88

6,337

canada

139

5,760

switzerland

42

3,694

france

45

3,396

japan

68

3,282

mexico

15

3,162

sweden

24

2,005

italy

15

1,894

ireland

25

1,852

18

Committed to Growing Aerospace In 2018, Oklahoma proved its commitment to aerospace and defense by passing legislation to create Oklahoma ACES. Operated as a division within the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Oklahoma ACES has staff and resources dedicated to developing and growing the state’s aerospace and defense sector.

F RO M THE BEGINNING Since Nov. 1, 2018, Oklahoma ACES has helped secure:

159

$2.46B

10,240

project wins

in investments

new jobs created

D E PA RTM ENT OF DEFENSE

T R A DE SH OW S U PPO RT

Oklahoma ACES has ongoing conversations

Oklahoma ACES leads national and international

with military partners such as Tinker Air Force

trade show delegations, providing an opportunity

Base to address roadblocks in the base’s vendor

for Oklahoma companies that may not have the

process, actively working with these partners

budget to attend on their own to display and

to dissolve barriers to entry and increase supply

meet with potential customers at some of the

chain opportunities for Oklahoma companies.

most highly attended industry events.

B U S I NESS-TO -BUSINESS & H I R ING EVEN TS

SUPPLY C H A I N SUPPO RT & EXPA N S I O N

Oklahoma ACES facilitates B2B events to help

Through the Strategic Sourcing initiative,

Oklahoma companies become suppliers to

Oklahoma ACES and the Oklahoma

commercial operations as well as the U.S. DoD

Manufacturing Alliance provide tailored

and prime contractors. Oklahoma ACES also

matchmaking and supply chain expertise to

coordinates hiring events across the state to

help local manufacturers scale and compete

facilitate connections between companies and

in the global market.

potential employees.

“This is a strategic investment in the future of U.S. energetics and propulsion capacity. It will enable us to produce the advanced energetics needed to replenish the U.S. arsenal, restore stockpiles and sustain any fight. We’re deeply grateful to the State of Oklahoma for their vision and support. Together, we’ll build infrastructure to turn innovation into combat-ready capability – rapidly, efficiently and with scale at its core.”

- Will Edwards CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF FIREHAWK 19

OKcommerce.gov/aerospace 900 N. Stiles Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73104 405-815-6552 | 800-588-5959