The Oklahoma Department of Commerce and ACES (Aerospace Commerce Economic Services) announced today in the 2025 ACES Annual Report that Oklahoma’s second largest and fastest growing industry, Aerospace & Defense, experienced another year of massive growth in 2025 after securing $450 million in new capital investment, a 300% increase from the previous year. That investment comes from 37 new or expanding businesses in Oklahoma, creating 1,325 new jobs.
“In a year when Oklahoma saw a record $14.7 billion in capital investment, we also saw unprecedented growth in aerospace and defense,” said Barbra Coffee, Executive Director of EDGE. “Our pro-business environment and focus on economic diversification are attracting companies from around the country and world, helping Oklahoma quickly emerge as a national leader in defense manufacturing and aerospace innovation.”
The state has invested $11.2 million in ACES since the program was created in 2018. To date, ACES has helped secure almost $2.5 billion in capital investment (a 216% ROI), 159 project wins and 10,240 new jobs. Over the past eight years, Oklahoma has seen at least 30 new aerospace and defense companies begin new operations in the state.
“The momentum we’re seeing in Oklahoma’s aerospace and defense industry is the result of strong partnerships and a clear strategy for growth,” said Leshia Pearson, Director of ACES. “ACES is supporting existing companies while attracting new investment to the state. Oklahoma continues to prove it is one of the best places in the country for aerospace and defense companies to expand and grow.”
Major Aerospace & Defense Announcements include:
- CBC Global Ammunition
- Building a $300 million manufacturing facility at MidAmerica Industrial Park, creating 350 jobs.
- Long Wave Inc.
- Won a multi-million subcontract to help develop a new aircraft for the U.S. Navy, creating 100 new jobs.
- Firehawk Aerospace Inc.
- Building a $22 million additive rocket fuel manufacturing facility in Lawton, creating 100 new jobs.
- Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, Inc.
- Reinvesting in Oklahoma by building a 50,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility in Bristow, creating 60 new jobs.
- Dawn Aerospace USA, LLC
- Chose the Oklahoma Air and Space Port for its U.S. operation for the Mk-II Aurora spaceplane.
Read the full ACES annual report here.
