Aerospace Systems

North Carolina is home to a vibrant and diverse military, commercial, general aviation, space, and unmanned systems industry. The state supports more than 300 aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, a workforce of more than 51,000 aerospace and aviation employees, and one of the strongest aerospace supply chains in the Southeast. Major aerospace companies operating in North Carolina include Lockheed Martin, RTX, GE Aerospace, Honeywell, Collins Aerospace, Honda Aircraft Company, Pratt & Whitney, and Boom Supersonic. North Carolina continues to attract significant aerospace investments, including JetZero’s planned $4.7 billion manufacturing facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport. Many Department of Defense (DoD), civilian federal agencies, and space organizations procure aerospace products and services from North Carolina companies, creating significant federal contracting opportunities for manufacturers, suppliers, technology firms, maintenance providers, and engineering service companies.

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State Resources.

North Carolina aerospace businesses can leverage a variety of state resources to support growth, workforce development, innovation, and federal contracting success:

Key Contracts and Prime Vendors

The following contract areas consistently represent significant federal aerospace spending and subcontracting opportunities for North Carolina businesses:

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, sustainment, components, avionics, and logisticsLockheed Martin
Military aircraft engines, propulsion systems, and maintenancePratt & Whitney, GE Aerospace
Missile defense systems and next-generation interceptorsLockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman 
Space systems, launch services, satellite payloads, and Artemis-related programsNorthrop Grumman, SpaceX, Blue Origin 
Airborne communications, ISR, and mission systemsL3Harris Technologies 
Aircraft avionics, mission systems, sensors, and aerospace electronicsRTX, Honeywell, Collins Aerospace
Military and commercial aircraft manufacturing and sustainmentBoeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman

Additional opportunities exist through large federal IDIQ contracts, sustainment programs, aircraft modernization initiatives, space launch and payload integration contracts, and unmanned systems programs. Aerospace suppliers should monitor opportunities from both federal agencies and major prime contractors for subcontracting participation.

Key Buying Agencies

The following federal agencies are among the largest purchasers of aerospace products, services, engineering support, maintenance, research, and technology solutions:

  1. U.S. Air Force
    • Aircraft procurement
    • Aircraft sustainment and modernization
    • Space and unmanned systems
  2. U.S. Navy
    • Naval aviation
    • Aircraft systems
    • Aviation maintenance and logistics.
  3. U.S. Army
    • Aviation systems
    • Rotorcraft modernization
    • Communications and mission systems.
  4. U.S. Space Force
    • Space systems
    • Missile warning and tracking
    • Satellite and launch programs.
  5. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    • Aeronautics research
    • Spaceflight systems
    • Payload integration
    • Technology development.
  6. Missile Defense Agency
    • Missile defense technologies
    • Interceptors
    • Sensors and command-and-control systems.
  7. Federal Aviation Administration
    • Air traffic management
    • Aviation infrastructure
    • NextGen modernization programs
  8. Department of Homeland Security and its components
    • Border surveillance
    • Unmanned systems
    • Aviation support services

Industry Contact.