Missouri has:

• The 3rd lowest business energy costs in the U.S. (Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council).
• The 4th lowest overall business costs in the U.S. (CNBC).
• The 5th lowest corporate income tax rate in the U.S (Tax Foundation).

• Missouri ranks 13th in the U.S. for science and engineering degrees granted (National Science Foundation).
• Missouri colleges and universities grant over 3,300 BS degrees in engineering or engineering technology annually (Missouri Department of Higher Education).
• Missouri's workforce exceeds the populations of 20 other states, including neighboring Kansas, Arkansas, Iowa, and Nebraska.

Over 350 aerospace and defense related companies provide jobs for more than 18,000 Missourians. These companies include:

Boeing Defense, Space  & Security Unit: (HQ St. Louis) Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security unit includes military aircraft as well as missiles, airborne lasers, and Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs). The unit is also NASA's prime contractor for the International Space Station, supports the Space Shuttle program (a joint venture with Lockheed Martin), and makes information and communications satellite systems.

Westar Aerospace & Defense: (St. Louis and Ft. Leonard Wood) Westar Aerospace and Defense Group, Inc. is a leading systems engineering contractor delivering engineering, software solutions, logistics information management and IT technical support services to the U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments and select commercial customers.

LaBarge Inc.: (HQ St. Louis) LaBarge’s printed circuit boards, cables, electronic assemblies, and other products are used in demanding applications such as military communication systems, commercial aircraft, satellites, medical equipment, airport security, glass container fabrication systems, and oil drilling equipment. LaBarge's top customers include Owens-Illinois, Raytheon, and Schlumberger. 

Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies LLC: (Kansas City) Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies’ Kansas City Plant is at the heart of the NNSA nuclear security organization. In 2009, the plant was honored with the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award based in part on the fact that the combined product quality and reliability performance level has been at 99.9 percent for traditional customers during the past three years.

GKN Aerospace North America: (St. Louis) GKN Aerospace North America is a first-tier supplier of structures, components, assemblies and engineering services to aircraft and aero engine manufacturers.

LMI Aerospace: (HQ St. Louis) LMI Aerospace makes key airplane structures such as door and cockpit window frames, wing leading-edge skins, fuselage skins, and interior components. 

Missouri is home to the following aerospace and defense related research centers:

Missouri University of Science and Technology Center for Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies: (Rolla) The Center for Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies (CAMT)  serves as a center of excellence in the U.S. for the development and transition of innovative advanced technologies for the aerospace manufacturing supply chain.

Missouri University of Science & Technology Center of Excellence for Aerospace Particulate Emissions Reduction Research: (Rolla) The Center of Excellence for Aerospace Particulate Emissions Reduction Research is a multidisciplinary effort drawing on the solid base of engineering and sciences provided by Missouri S&T. The Missouri S&T effort is integrated into a national consortium studying the environmental impact of aviation related activities. 

Missouri University of Science & Technology Materials Research Center: (Rolla) The Graduate Center for Materials Research (MRC) is a multi-disciplinary research and development organization. Established in 1964 , MRC provides a graduate education environment that fosters significant advances in the fields of materials science and engineering. MRC provides research facilities, an equipment base and a support infrastructure that enables faculty members, students and industry professionals to conduct successful, team-oriented research and development projects.

Missouri University of Science & Technology GE Aviation Development Center: (Rolla) Performs software development, verification and validation, mechanical design and hardware design for aviation.

Missouri State University Center for Applied Science and Engineering (CASE): (Springfield) Committed to the development and support of advanced materials, CASE provides engineering and support for electronics & devices, materials research, MEMS sensors and systems fabrication. CASE is also involved with “high risk” R&D, testing services, public safety issues, and educational opportunities for current and perspective employees.

Washington University Center for Materials Innovation: (St. Louis) A community of scholars focused on the creation, study and use of materials, including nanostructured materials, for aerospace.

Aerospace Research & Education Center: (St. Louis) The Aerospace Research & Education Center (AeREC) is a consortium of Washington University, Saint Louis University, The University of Missouri—Columbia, and The Missouri University of Science & Technology. Research focuses on design optimization, materials, manufacturing, structures, and control systems. AeREC’s goal is to provide education in aerospace through innovation, research, technology development, and transfer. AeREC also partners with the aerospace industry and government to assist federal research initiatives. 

Missouri Aerospace Companies Map