Prepare to launch.
From Montgomery, all the way to Mars.
In 1910, the Wright Brothers established the nation’s first civilian flight school in Montgomery, Alabama. Since then, the state’s been a launching pad for innovation in the aerospace and aviation industry. NASA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus and a constantly-growing network of aerospace and aviation companies have taken off in Alabama. Where they’ll take us, we can only imagine.
300+
Aerospace companies from 30+ countries
100+
100+ years of aerospace
& aviation advances
Top 3
state for aerospace engineers
$6.4B
in aerospace exports
(2020–2023)
Space exploration and innovation
Alabama has a rich history in aerospace, giving the likes of NASA, Boeing, United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin the space to do what’s never been done before. The state has a vast presence in the space exploration industry, with over 300 aerospace companies and a heritage that dates back to the earliest days of the U.S. rocket program.
Aviation
Around the globe, you can see the impacts of Alabama’s aviation sector. You just have to look to the sky. Airbus’s only U.S. manufacturing facility is right here in Alabama as well as several other aviation manufacturing companies impacting how the world travels.
Defense
Alabama’s strong military presence starts in the labs and takes off from there. The state is home to training centers for U.S. Army helicopter pilots and the major research and engineering center that houses the Army’s critical missile defense programs. Raytheon, Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin are developing the missile systems that keep America safe.
The most powerful rocket ever built.
Rocket scientists and engineers in Alabama spearheaded development of the deep space exploration vehicle that will take humanity further than ever before—NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS). While NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville led development, Boeing produced its giant core stages housing 730,000 gallons of fuel for the engines. The most powerful rocket ever built will carry American astronauts back to the Moon with future sights on Mars.
The next stage of defense.
In Alabama, we’re revolutionizing defensive technologies every day to keep our country safe. Lockheed Martin and Dynetics are hard at work creating long-range hypersonic missiles and glide bodies that can travel close to 4,000 miles per hour. These next-level defense systems can intercept incoming ballistic threats, strengthening our nation’s defense.
Taking aviation manufacturing to new heights.
Airbus has its only U.S. manufacturing center in Mobile, Alabama. This $1 billion facility has transformed the coastal city into a global epicenter for the production of passenger aircraft, producing its A320 Family and A220 passenger jets. Every day, Alabama engineers and manufacturers are changing how people travel the world.
Latest Aerospace & Aviation News
NASA ships Alabama-made space hardware to Kennedy for next SLS flight
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — A key piece of space flight hardware, manufactured at Alabama’s Marshall Space Flight Center, is on its way to Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the first crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis program.
August 26, 2024
Why Alabama?
You can make it here in Alabama.
Alabama is a state of makers, builders, and doers. So, whatever you make or build, you can do it in Alabama. We’re a launching point for aerospace, aviation, and defense. A leader in automotive production. A home for startups, technology, and research breakthroughs. And drawing on our manufacturing roots, we’re helping to usher in the industrial evolution in America.
Logistics & Infrastructure
Alabama’s prime location in the South and on the Gulf Coast grants it nearly unlimited access to the national and international markets. Alabama sits within a one day drive to all of the South and its nearly 150M residents.
Workforce & Training
Alabama’s strong workforce is a major attraction for businesses worldwide, driven by our commitment to skill development. Industry leaders like Mercedes-Benz and Airbus have benefited from on-site training programs in partnership with state workforce agencies; and our state’s focus on education and industrial training through colleges further strengthens Alabama’s appeal to businesses.
Taxes & Incentives
Alabama’s business approach is very inviting, offering global companies incentives, tax benefits, a skilled workforce, and excellent real estate options. Low taxes, affordable utilities, and a reasonable cost of living boost profits, and the state ensure ideal site locations and attractive incentives for long-term success in Alabama.
Project Assistance
Alabama’s Business Development Division actively seeks corporate investors, promotes global expansion for local companies, supports small businesses, and collaborates with various stakeholders for comprehensive investor support. The state also engages with communities to enhance competitiveness and contribute significantly to Alabama’s economic growth strategy, making the state attractive to investors, businesses, and job seekers.