North Carolina is able to attract and grow aerospace and military defense companies throughout all geographical areas of the state largely because the industry is a good fit with the state’s manufacturing tradition, existing workforce, growing population, training programs and university-based research.
North Carolina is an established, innovative and growing center for Aerospace, Aviation and Military Defense.
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North Carolina became the launch pad for American aviation in 1903 with the First Flight of Orville and Wilbur Wright
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North Carolina has more than 160 aerospace and aviation companies engaged in manufacturing and service and employs more than 13,000 skilled workers
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Seven of the 10 largest global air defense companies have operations in North Carolina including Boeing, General Dynamics, GE, L-3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman and Raytheon
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There are nearly 200 companies in North Carolina that supply the aerospace industry by manufacturing products ranging from carbon and graphite products to fabricated metal products
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North Carolina has four international airports, 74 publicly-owned airports and 300 privately-owned airports in the state
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North Carolina is the first state in the nation to have statewide Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) coverage
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More than 25 million passengers fly to and from North Carolina and more than 800 million pounds of air freight originate annually in the state
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With over 100,000 active duty personnel at bases in North Carolina, military personnel transitioning out of the service represent a potential pool of talented, educated and disciplined employees
For more information, download the 
North Carolina Aerospace and Aviation Industry Brochure or the North Carolina Military/Defense Contractors profile.