A Leading Hub for Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing

Missouri’s rich history in aviation, specifically military aviation, has helped make the state one of the top aerospace manufacturing providers in the United States. From Charles Lindbergh to modern aerospace technology from Boeing, the Show-Me state has been leading the way for more than 100 years.

Boeing, with its Defense, Space, and Security manufacturing facility in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the country’s largest defense contractors. Its primary activity is aerospace manufacturing, but it also participates in aircraft parts manufacturing, ammunition manufacturing, and engineering services.

Today, more than 16,000 of Missouri’s highly trained workforce builds advanced military jets at Boeing’s Defense, Space, and Security facilities, along with a huge array of military ordinance and commercial composite parts. And that cutting edge innovation takes place across the state in more than 100 aerospace manufacturing companies.

A Defense Industry Leader in the Heart of America

Missouri is home to the western campus of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), with a $1.75 billion expansion project underway to strengthen its presence in Missouri.

Across the state, Missouri defense companies like EaglePicher produce high-tech lithium batteries in Joplin, and the Kansas City National Security Campus supports mission-critical projects. According to recent studies, the Department of Defense invests more than $13 billion annually in Missouri defense, fueling over 25,000 businesses statewide.

DRS Technologies has two locations in Missouri, DRS Land Systems HQ in St. Louis and a 100-acre heavy equipment manufacturing facility in West Plains. World Wide Technology, headquartered in St. Louis, is a global leader in computer system design for the defense industry. The Olin Winchester Lake City Ammunition Plant in Independence is the largest producer of small-arms munitions for the Department of Defense, producing over a billion rounds per year.

More than one in ten Missouri workers are in manufacturing, with aerospace as a top industry sector.

Other knowledge centers include:

• Aviation Institute of Maintenance (Kansas City)
• Flight Safety International (Berkeley)
• Missouri S&T (Rolla)
• Saint Louis University
• Southeast Missouri State (Cape Girardeau)
• St. Louis Community College
• State Technical College of Missouri (Linn)
• University of Central Missouri (Warrensburg)
• Washington University in St. Louis

Aerospace Leaders Already in Missouri:

What Missouri Can Do for You

Missouri’s established aerospace and defense industry is fueled by top-tier talent, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and a strong military and contractor presence.

Considering expanding your aerospace or defense operations to Missouri? Learn how our team can help.