Tulsa Plays Prominent Role in Oklahoma’s $52.5 Billion Aerospace and Defense Industry

OKLAHOMA CITY – Tulsa’s aerospace and defense industry is helping drive Oklahoma’s growing $52.5 billion aerospace and defense economy, with more than 250 aerospace and defense companies and nearly 43,000 employees contributing more than $11 billion annually to the Tulsa region.

The figures come as the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics releases its latest economic impact data showing the statewide aerospace and defense industry supports more than 250,000 jobs and generates $52.5 billion in annual economic activity.

Senator John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and former chair of the Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee, said Tulsa’s established aerospace industry is providing the foundation for the region to expand into emerging areas such as space and advanced aerospace technology.

“I’ve seen firsthand the impact that strategic investment in aerospace infrastructure can have on Oklahoma’s economy,” Haste said. “Tulsa already has the workforce, companies and infrastructure needed to compete in this industry. What we’re seeing now is an opportunity to build on that foundation and expand into space, advanced aviation and other emerging technologies.”

Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, now CEO of Quantum Space, said Tulsa has an opportunity to build on its existing aerospace expertise to become an important center for the growing commercial space industry. Bridenstine announced earlier this year, Quantum Space is building a platform designed for the full spectrum of space operations, from national security missions to the emerging commercial market for on-orbit services, and this facility is a critical step in scaling production of the Ranger spacecraft and strengthening a distributed U.S. manufacturing network.

"Quantum Space is building satellites to meet the needs of the Space Force's Theory of Competitive Endurance. Sustained maneuver for Dynamic Space Operations is a key enabler of those needs. The State of Oklahoma is aligning itself to support the U.S. Space Force by building test and operational infrastructure to achieve sustained maneuver," said Jim Bridenstine. "With its new and existing infrastructure, deep aerospace heritage, and skilled workforce, expanding our manufacturing to Oklahoma was an obvious choice."

The region’s aerospace growth is also increasingly extending into the unmanned aircraft and advanced air mobility sectors. Manna Air Delivery launched its first full-scale U.S. operation in Tulsa in July 2026, making the city the company's U.S. operational and manufacturing hub. Manna plans to create more than 1,000 jobs in Tulsa over the next three years across aviation and flight operations, manufacturing, maintenance, customer support and other business functions.

Manna’s arrival also represents a shift in how Tulsa’s aerospace infrastructure and workforce can support emerging aviation technologies.

“You can look at Tulsa and see the entire aerospace spectrum; from American Airlines and NORDAM to Spirit Aerosystems, Inc and L3Harris, and now companies like Manna working in autonomous aviation and Agile Space Industries developing space capabilities,” Haste said.

Together, those companies represent a diverse aerospace ecosystem spanning commercial aviation, aircraft maintenance, manufacturing, defense and advanced aerospace technologies. That diversity is an important economic asset for Tulsa and for Oklahoma. We have an opportunity to continue building on that foundation and make sure Oklahoma remains competitive as aerospace continues to evolve.

Kian Kamas, interim managing director of Tulsa Innovation Labs, said Tulsa’s aerospace growth is the result of years of collaboration between industry, government, education and economic development organizations.

The region’s aerospace growth is also increasing its reach into the space sector. Agile Space Industries is developing a $20 million Space Test Center near Tulsa International Airport, adding rocket engine testing capabilities and further expanding the region’s aerospace and space infrastructure.

The ODAA report also highlights Oklahoma’s growing role in emerging aerospace fields, including unmanned aircraft systems, advanced air mobility and commercial space. Oklahoma has 845,000 acres dedicated to UAS test sites and is home to the nation’s first inland commercial spaceport.

From keeping commercial aircraft flying to manufacturing critical aerospace components and now developing capabilities for the space industry, Tulsa companies are creating jobs, attracting investment and expanding what Oklahoma can offer the aerospace industry. We have a strong foundation, and there is tremendous potential for what comes next.