Arizona has solidified itself a leading hub for the aerospace and defense industry, home to major A&D companies, cutting-edge startups, and advanced technologies and manufacturing. Over the past five years, the state has welcomed more than 60 aerospace and defense expansions, totaling over $2.8 billion in investment and creating more than 12,500 new jobs. Arizona’s A&D industry leaders include Raytheon, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Honeywell Aerospace, Virgin Galactic, Bombardier, Blue Origin and Namm, among others.
Additionally, Arizona consistently receives high marks in a multitude of notable rankings, including #1 Concentration for Guided Missile & Space Vehicle Manufacturing, #1 Largest Optics & Photonics Manufacturing Job Growth, Top 2 Largest Guided Missile & Space Vehicle Manufacturing Employment, Top 3 Aerospace Manufacturing Attractiveness, Top 5 Largest A&D Manufacturing Employment and Top 5 Concentration for A&D Manufacturing. Sources: Lightcast, 2024; PwC, 2025.
