Oklahoma’s Aerospace & Defense Industry
Soar to more in the land of plenty.
Oklahoma has always had room to fly higher.
What began with barnstormers turning open fields into runways has grown into some of the world’s most critical aerospace and defense work. Today, global leaders like American Airlines, Boeing, and the U.S. Air Force anchor one of the state’s largest and fastest-growing industries.
MRO Capitol of the World
Home of the world’s largest maintenance, repair, and overhaul operation and the U.S. Department of Defense’s largest air depot, Oklahoma is the central nerve of fleet preparedness.
Infrastructure & Assets
From federal training centers to globally respected research institutions, Oklahoma’s aerospace and defense industry is designed for clearance, capacity, and talent. Fast.
Quickfacts
Lowest Cost of Doing Business in America
#1
Aerospace Entities in Operation
1,100+
Acres of UAS Test Sites
845,000+
Oklahoma ACES
Oklahoma ACES Program works directly with military bases, major contractors, and suppliers to strengthen supply chains, open doors to new contracts, and connect Oklahoma companies to commercial and defense work.
FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center
Located in Oklahoma City, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center is the operational backbone of the FAA and the largest U.S. Department of Transportation facility outside Washington, D.C. More than 76,000 students train here each year, including every U.S. air traffic controller.
National Weather Center
America better understands weather because of Oklahoma. Based in Norman, the National Weather Center is home to NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory and leads the weather and climate research that aviation and defense depend on. From forecasting and storm prediction, it starts here.
Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport
In western Oklahoma awaits one of the country’s few FAA-licensed spaceports — and the only one in unrestricted airspace. With a 13,503-foot runway, a 1,100-acre airpark, and a 150-mile flight corridor, it offers rare room for testing, building, and going beyond Earth’s ceilings.
Incentives & Tax Credits
Oklahoma offers one of the most competitive incentive environments for aerospace and defense companies. Low costs and tax rates coupled with highly flexible programs allow qualifying businesses to do more with their money.
Aerospace Industry Engineer Workforce Tax Credit
A win-win for employers and their talent. Qualifying companies receive tax credits for hiring new engineering graduates, while qualifying aerospace engineers can earn individual tax credits of up to $5,000 per year for five years.
Quality Jobs Incentive Program
A signature Oklahoma program that rewards job creation with real cash back. Eligible aerospace companies can receive cash payments of up to 5% of new payrolls for up to 10 years, supporting sustained growth while scaling high-quality jobs.
Small Employer Quality Jobs Incentive Program
Designed for companies with 500 employees or fewer, this program offers quarterly cash payments of up to 5% of new payrolls for up to seven years — giving early-stage innovators room to grow.
Investment/New Jobs Tax Credit
This flexible program rewards aerospace manufacturers and maintenance operations for either depreciable capital investment or job creation — whichever provides the greater benefit — with enhanced benefits available in Enterprise Zones or for large-scale investments.
21st Century Quality Jobs Incentive Program
Designed for highly skilled, knowledge-based operations, the 21st Century Quality Jobs program offers cash payments of up to 10% of new payrolls for up to 10 years. Eligible companies must create at least 10 new full-time jobs, meet elevated wage thresholds, and generate at least 50% of sales from outside Oklahoma.
Connect with your Aerospace & Defense Team
From site selection and incentive strategy to workforce and logistics partnerships, our team is just a call away.
Stay in Touch
Follow Oklahoma ACES in our newsletter and on social media for industry announcements, opportunities, updates and more.