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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Casey Evans

Vice President, Economic Development

407.902.2411 Phone Email Linkedin Website

Jack Bojinov

Director, Economic Development

407.422.7159 Phone Email Linkedin

  • 76K+ Tech Workers in Orlando

    Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), 2024

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    UCF – the Nation’s No. 1 Aerospace and Defense Workforce Supplier

    Six Consecutive Years by Aviation Week

  • $6B+ Annual Simulation-related Contracts in the Region

    National Center for Simulation

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

Company: Blue Origin

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Kaman Precision Products

Company: Kaman Precision Products

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin operates its Missiles and Fire Control research and development and manufacturing as well as its Training and Logistics…

Company: Lockheed Martin

Industry: Aerospace

Company Size (Employees): 5000-10000

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is a global aerospace and defense technology company.

Company: Northrop Grumman

Industry: Aviation, Aerospace and Defense

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Aerojet Rocketdyne

Aerojet Rocketdyne is a world-class developer and manufacturer of advanced propulsion and energetics systems for customers including the U.S. Department…

Company: Aerojet Rocketdyne

Industry: Aerospace

Company Size (Employees): 1000-5000

Thales

Thales is a French multinational company that designs and builds electrical systems and provides services for the aerospace, defense, transportation…

Company: Thales

Industry: Aviation, Aerospace and Defense

Company Size (Employees): 0-50

L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris Technologies (L3Harris) is an American technology company, defense contractor and information technology services provider.

Company: L3Harris Technologies

Industry: Aviation, Aerospace and Defense

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Leidos

Leidos is an American defense, aviation, information technology, and biomedical research company.

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.

https://erau.edu/

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University offers Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. programs in Aerospace Engineering.

Aerospace Engineering

https://www.ucf.edu/aerospace-defense-industry/

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

https://www.fit.edu/

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.

Lockheed Martin Expands R&D

Lockheed Martin completed the construction of its 255,000 square foot Research & Development facility in under one year.

Thales

Thales, a global technology leader for the aerospace, transport, defense and security markets based in Paris, France, expanded in Orlando, adding 173 new jobs in the region and investing $6.6 million in the local community.

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.

Learn More

ORLANDO. Unbelievably real.

Additional Focus Areas

Connect with a Subject Matter Expert

Get in touch with Casey Evans, Vice President of Economic Development, for additional information including customized talent data and tailored space recommendations.

Call today: 407.902.2411

Lockheed Martin Modeling Simulation & Training

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