AN ECONOMY BUILT TO
Take Man to the Moon
Orlando is at the center of an enormous cluster of top aerospace and defense companies. In fact, the seven largest industry firms on the Fortune 500 list all have operations in or near Orlando, including some of Florida’s biggest aerospace manufacturing operations.
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60K+ Tech Workers in Orlando
Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) , 2023
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UCF is the Nation’s No. 1 Aerospace and Defense Workforce Supplier
Aviation Week, 2015-2020
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$6B+ Annual Simulation-related Contracts in the Region
National Center for Simulation, 2022
Known for the companies we keep
Featured Aerospace & Defense Companies
Long before it became the theme park capital of the world, Orlando’s top aerospace and defense companies were behind the planet’s ultimate thrill ride — flying to the moon. Since then, our region has remained the cornerstone of Florida’s aerospace industry and defense-related growth.
Blue Origin
Blue Origin
Company: Blue Origin
Visit WebsiteKaman Precision Products
Kaman Precision Products
Company: Kaman Precision Products
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Company: Lockheed Martin
Industry: Aerospace
Company Size (Employees): 5000-10000
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman
Aerojet Rocketdyne
Aerojet Rocketdyne
Company: Aerojet Rocketdyne
Industry: Aerospace
Company Size (Employees): 1000-5000
Thales
Thales
Company: Thales
Industry: Aviation, Aerospace and Defense
Company Size (Employees): 0-50
L3Harris Technologies
L3Harris Technologies
Leidos
Leidos
Company: Leidos
Industry: Aviation, Aerospace and Defense, Energy
Company Size (Employees): 500-1000
“We think Orlando is an ideal location to grow our footprint and employment base given the city’s diverse, strong talent pipeline, available and affordable land with room to grow, and low taxes….”
– Frank St. John
Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control (MFC) Division, Lockheed Martin
It’s a smart world
After All
Orlando is a major hub of Florida’s aerospace manufacturing operations, but our regional universities also offer specialized programs in aerospace and defense engineering and technology, helping to diversify Central Florida’s workforce.
Eastern Florida State College
Aerospace Technology is an exciting field of study that prepares graduates for entry-level positions in the aerospace and aeronautics industry.
Aerospace Technology
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University offers Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. programs in Aerospace Engineering.
Aerospace Engineering
University of Central Florida
550+ students have graduated with an aerospace engineering degree in the past five years. UCF has also established new doctorate in aerospace engineering.
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Florida Institute of Technology
Located on the Space Coast and connected to global aerospace companies like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, SpaceX and L3Harris.
B.S. in Aerospace Engineering
Major Developments
Orlando is at the center of an enormous cluster of top aerospace and defense companies driving the latest developments in engineering and technology.
A THRIVING ECOSYSTEM
Industry Assets
Proximity to the Space Coast and history in simulation and defense supports a thriving cluster at the heart of the Florida aerospace industry.
TEAM Orlando
Team Orlando is a unique, collaborative alliance of leading U.S. military organizations working in modeling, simulation and training in Orlando.
Central Florida Research Park
The Central Florida Research Park is a campus-like environment for business, located adjacent to the University of Central Florida. Businesses that desire a “university relationship” can purchase land in the Research Park on which to construct a facility or can lease space for office, office/lab or light manufacturing uses.
Learn more about our
Featured Industrial Sites
Discover what the Orlando region has to offer your aerospace and defense business. Explore our nine featured market-ready land sites.
ORLANDO. Unbelievably real.
Additional Focus Areas
Aviation
Aviation companies take off here.
Simulation
The birthplace of the experience economy.
Optics & Photonics
Leading the nation in tourism and photonics technology.
Connect with a Subject Matter Expert
Get in touch with Casey Evans, Senior Director of Economic Development, for additional information including customized talent data and tailored space recommendations.
Call today: 407.902.2411
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THE ORLANDO YOU ONLY THOUGHT YOU KNEW
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