Oklahoma’s Advanced Air Mobility & Unmanned Systems
Autonomy, the way it was intended.
Oklahoma’s advantage starts with geography.
Open skies, varied terrain, and airspace that’s been managed for military and commercial flight for generations create a natural proving ground for unmanned systems. Add in direct FAA access and research universities focused on autonomy, and you get a place where flight moves forward instead of waiting for permission.
The First UAS Design PhD in the United States
At Oklahoma State University, the country’s first UAS Design PhD program creates engineers trained for new horizons from day one. Not adapted after the fact.
Infrastructure & Assets
Oklahoma’s UAS advantage comes from how its assets work together. FAA partnerships, military stalwarts, innovation hubs, robust university programs and abundant airfields create an environment where companies can test, train, and validate systems faster and more freely.
Quickfacts
Lowest Cost of Doing Business in America
#1
in High Schools Offering Dedicated Aviation & UAS Curriculum
#1
Military Installations
5
Acres of UAS Test Sites
845,000+
Aerospace Entities in Operation
1,100+
Camp Gruber Training Center
Operated by the Oklahoma National Guard, Camp Gruber spans 33,000 acres of maneuver space, live-fire ranges, and urban operations environments. It’s home to the Counter-Unmanned Systems Training Program, making it a critical asset at the intersection of UAS innovation and national security.
Choctaw Nation Emerging Aviation Technology Center
Developed by the Choctaw Nation, the Emerging Aviation Technology Center is a 44,000+ acre site dedicated to UAS and AAM RDT&E. As a lead participant in the FAA’s BEYOND program, the center works directly with the FAA and industry partners to test beyond visual line of sight operations and validate emerging technologies.
OSU Skyway Range
A first-of-its-kind unmanned aircraft testing corridor was developed in collaboration between Oklahoma State University, the Osage Nation, and Tulsa Innovation Labs. Skyway Range spans four droneports and roughly 1,200 square miles of urban and rural airspace, providing unprecedented room to test in real-world conditions.
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, the site is prime for UAS testing, R&D, launches, tracking, and recovery.
Oklahoma State University Unmanned Aircraft Flight Station
A dedicated UAS development and testing facility supporting research in autonomy, sense-and-avoid, airspace integration, propulsion, communications, and payloads. Combined with OSU’s BVLOS corridor, the site offers companies a controlled sandbox to perfect before entering the national airspace system.
FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center
Located in Oklahoma City, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center is the operational backbone of the Federal Aviation Administration. More than 76,000 students train annually, including all U.S. air traffic controllers. For UAS companies, proximity to the FAA’s central training and support hub is a powerful advantage.
Dive deeper with a look at Oklahoma's Advanced Air Mobility and Unmanned Systems Sector
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 the Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport—makes it the clear choice for any leader in the defense and aerospace sectors.
Incentives & Tax Credits
Oklahoma’s incentive portfolio supports AAM and UAS growth with job creation programs, R&D credits, capital investment incentives, customized workforce training, and more. All layered onto one of the nation’s most competitive cost and tax environments.
Quality Jobs Incentive Program
A signature Oklahoma program that rewards job creation with real cash back. Eligible 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.
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.
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.
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