Aerospace + Defense Report

Oklahoma’s Aerospace + Defense Team provides services to Oklahoma’s aerospace and defense industry sector and promotes the state as a premier destination for expanding and relocating aviation, aerospace, defense and autonomous systems companies.

2025 Report

Download our report on Oklahoma’s aerospace and defense industry and the ACES program.

Report Highlights 2025

Aerospace + Defense Economic Development Progress

Since 2018, the state has invested $11.2 million in the ACES program. Over that time, the ACES team has secured $2.46 billion in new capital investment.

37 Project Wins

60% were metro area wins, and 40% were rural area wins.

$454 Million

The 37 announcements are expected to generate $454 million in capital investment.

1,325 New Jobs

11,419 additional new jobs with an average annual salary of $85,613 remained in the pipeline at the end of 2025.

$6.8 Billion

With the close of 2025, Commerce had 70 open A&D projects (potential for $6.8 billion in capital investment).

Major Aerospace + Defense News and Announcements

Firehawk Aerospace, Inc.

Will build a $22 million, 40,000-square-foot facility for solid and hybrid rocket motor manufacturing, expected to create 100 new jobs.

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, Inc.

Announced a new 50,000-square-foot
advanced manufacturing facility for turbojet engine production, with an initial 60 new jobs
and plans to expand to 100,000 square feet.
This announcement was made during the
Paris Air Show.

Dawn Aerospace USA, LLC

In an agreement with the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA), the New Zealand-based firm made the Oklahoma Air and Space Port the base of its U.S. operations for the Mk-II Aurora spaceplane, pioneering daily spaceflight capability. This announcement was made during the Paris Air Show.

CBC Global Ammunition

This foreign direct investment success will see a $300 million manufacturing facility at MidAmerica Industrial Park, creating 350 jobs and supplying U.S. law enforcement and military markets. The deal was closed in part due to the Quick Action Closing Fund. This announcement was made during the SelectUSA Investment Summit.

Long Wave, Inc.

A significant expansion is underway to hire 100 new professionals in systems engineering and technical roles to support the E-130J aircraft program and other defense initiatives.

Your Aerospace + Defense Team

Leshia is the Director for Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense. Leshia works closely with Oklahoma aerospace companies and organizations to build collaboration and growth opportunities. She also leads delegations of Oklahoma aerospace entities to domestic and international trade shows.

Leshia Pearson

Director, Aerospace & Defense

Rob Wilcox, Chief Petty Officer, Navy (Ret.)

Business Recruiter, Aerospace & Defense

Kallie Hanisch

Program Manager, Aerospace & Defense

Kadi Walker

Administrative Assistant, Aerospace & Defense