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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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
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$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
Visit WebsiteDescription: Blue Origin, LLC is an American privately funded aerospace manufacturer and sub-orbital spaceflight services company.
Kaman FUZING
Company: Kaman FUZING
Description: Kaman Corporation is an American aerospace company. Kaman Precision Products, a division of Kaman Corporation, has a manufacturing facility based in Orlando.
Lockheed Martin
Description: Lockheed Martin operates its Missiles and Fire Control research and development and manufacturing as well as its Training and Logistics Solutions facility focused on simulation-based training in the Orlando region.
Northrop Grumman
Description: Northrop Grumman is a global aerospace and defense technology company.
Aerojet Rocketdyne
Company: Aerojet Rocketdyne
Industry: Aerospace
Company Size (Employees): 1000-5000
Description: Aerojet Rocketdyne is a world-class developer and manufacturer of advanced propulsion and energetics systems for customers including the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA and other agencies and companies, both in the United States and abroad.
Thales
Company: Thales
Industry: Aviation, Aerospace and Defense
Company Size (Employees): 0-50
Description: Thales is a French multinational company that designs and builds electrical systems and provides services for the aerospace, defense, transportation and security markets.
L3Harris Technologies
Description: L3Harris Technologies (L3Harris) is an American technology company, defense contractor and information technology services provider.
Leidos
Company: Leidos
Industry: Aviation, Aerospace and Defense, Energy
Company Size (Employees): 500-1000
Description: Leidos is an American defense, aviation, information technology, and biomedical research company.
– Frank St. John
Chief Operating Officer, 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.
University of Central Florida
UCF has 20+ aerospace, space, and defense-related degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Multiple Departments for Aerospace, Space, and Defense
Valencia College
Valencia College is preparing students for this high-tech, in-demand occupation.
Precision Optics, Photonics, and Fiber Optics Technician Program
Eastern Florida State College
This two-year program prepares students 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
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Tech offers 10+ aerospace and space-related degrees at undergraduate and graduate levels.
Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences
Seminole State College
Seminole State’s A.A. in aerospace engineering allows for guaranteed admission to UCF or one of Florida’s other state universities for a bachelor’s degree.
Aerospace Engineering
Major OPERATIONS
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
Lockheed Martin is one of the largest employers in the Orlando region. Its Orlando facility develops rotary and mission systems, while its Titusville facility supports deep-space exploration and next-generation launch systems.
Northrop Grumman
Leading global aerospace and defense technology company Northrop Grumman has locations in Orlando and Apopka. Northrop Grumman’s Orlando facilities work on military satellite systems and command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) systems.
A THRIVING ECOSYSTEM
Industry Assets
Proximity to the Space Coast and a history in simulation and defense supports a thriving cluster at the heart of the Florida aerospace industry.
Space Florida
Space Florida provides aerospace companies with financing, infrastructure, and support to launch new innovations in the nation’s premier spaceport system.
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is a multi-sector space transportation complex that hosts the world’s most advanced launch and re-entry systems.
Central Florida Research Park
Central Florida Research Park is the 6th largest research park in the U.S. and offers a variety of office, flex and build-to-suit space for companies that want to work closely with UCF.
Florida High Tech Corridor
Florida High Tech Corridor is a partnership between industry and educators from the University of South Florida, the University of Central Florida, and the University of Florida, focusing on growing high-tech industry.
Florida Space Institute
Florida Space Institute, located at UCF, supports space research, development, and education activities for member universities in Florida.
Exolith® Lab
The Exolith® Lab is a space hardware testing and regolith research facility managed by the Florida Space Institute.
Team Orlando
Team Orlando is a unique, collaborative alliance of leading U.S. military organizations working in modeling, simulation and training in Orlando.
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, Vice President 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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