Louisiana: A Launchpad for Aerospace and Defense Innovation
The future of aerospace takes flight in Louisiana.
Louisiana gives aerospace and defense companies a faster, lower-risk path to expansion, with development-ready sites, major space and defense assets, customized workforce training, competitive incentives, and a single LED project team to help evaluate locations, permitting, workforce, and partnerships confidentially.
- Reduced operational risk through aerospace liability protections
- Faster project timelines through reduced permitting barriers
- Improved investment economics through tax exemptions and rebates
These reforms include Acts 343, 874, 583, 584, 102 and 190 from the 2026 regular legislative session.
Louisiana is home to both industry pioneers like Arrow Aviation and Metro Aviation, and major players such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Western Global Airlines. These companies benefit from Louisiana’s central location, multimodal logistics, and a talent pipeline built through nationally ranked workforce training programs.
Louisiana carries NASA back to the Moon
Since 1961, “America’s Rocket Factory” has operated in Louisiana at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility near downtown New Orleans. As the nation’s premier center for manufacturing the massive structures that make human spaceflight possible, and led by prime contractor Boeing, Michoud has built the hardware that carries astronauts farther than ever before.
In 2026, that legacy continued with Artemis II, NASA’s first crewed mission around the Moon in more than half a century. Nearly 90% of this vital mission’s Space Launch System rocket was manufactured in Louisiana, at the 829-acre facility that makes a national economic impact of more than $500 million.
In addition, more than 50 alumni of Louisiana colleges and universities – majoring in fields ranging from mechanical and electrical engineering to aerospace technology – had a direct impact on the Artemis II mission.
From Apollo to Artemis, New Orleans remains at the heart of America’s next giant leap.
“For generations, Louisiana has played a central role in America’s aerospace industry, anchored by NASA’s work at Michoud. That history has built a skilled workforce, strong supplier networks, and advanced manufacturing capabilities across the state. Artemis II reflects that foundation—and signals the opportunity ahead as Louisiana continues to grow its aerospace economy.”
-Susan B. Bourgeois, Secretary, Louisiana Economic Development
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Aerospace Workforce and STEM Talent in Louisiana
Louisiana gives aerospace and defense companies access to a skilled, scalable workforce supported by statewide STEM, engineering, aviation maintenance, advanced manufacturing, and technical training programs across two-year and four-year colleges.
- High-quality talent pipeline: Louisiana produces more than 22,000 manufacturing-relevant graduates each year, helping companies hire for aerospace manufacturing, aviation maintenance, defense technology, and industrial operations.
- Customized workforce training: LED FastStart works directly with employers to develop customized training, curricula, and equipment solutions through the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.
- Aviation maintenance readiness: Four Louisiana A&P training programs at Baton Rouge Community College, South Louisiana Community College, Southern University at Shreveport, and SOWELA Technical Community College prepare talent for MRO, helicopter operations, and aerospace manufacturing.
- Advanced manufacturing capacity: The National Center for Advanced Manufacturing supports NASA and related industries, while LED’s partnership with LCTCS equips 12 campuses with 5-axis CNC machining centers.
With more than 230,000 jobs supported by manufacturing, Louisiana offers aerospace and defense leaders both experienced workers and a growing pipeline of STEM-trained graduates ready to support expansion.
A Business Climate That Helps Companies Soar
Major Aviation Employers and Defense Contractors in Louisiana
Louisiana’s aerospace and defense ecosystem includes aircraft services, helicopter operations,
advanced manufacturing, MRO, space systems, training, and defense technology companies. The military accounts for nearly 4% of Louisiana jobs, about one out of every 26 jobs in the state.
Space, Defense and Advanced Manufacturing
- Bascom Hunter
- BK Aerospace Michoud Assembly Facility
- Estes Energetics
- Lockheed Martin Michoud Assembly Facility
- NASA Michoud Assembly Facility
- Northrop Grumman Defense Services
- Sev1 Tech
- Vivace Michoud Assembly Facility
Aviation Manufacturing, Components and MRO
Helicopter Operations, Services and Training
Aviation Support, Logistics and Technology
- ExxonMobil Product Solutions Aviation Lubricants
- FlightSafety International
- GM Leasing
- Leonardo AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp.
- MASCO Service Corporation
- Outerlink Global Solutions
- RLC
- S.D.B. Consultants, LTD
- Sparrow Inspections LLC
- Stratus System
Considering an aerospace or defense project in Louisiana?
Strategic Military Installations and Defense Operations in Louisiana
Louisiana’s military installations, defense assets, veteran workforce, and Gulf Coast logistics network create a strategic operating environment for aerospace, defense, cybersecurity, shipbuilding, logistics, and veteran-owned contractors.
With $17 billion in annual military economic impact, more than 117,000 jobs supported, and over 262,000 veterans statewide, Louisiana gives defense companies access to mission-ready talent, cyber and information warfare assets, shipbuilding capacity, multimodal logistics, and confidential state-level project support.
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