.jpg)
Aerospace and Defense Industries in Connecticut
From Colt’s invention of the revolver to Sikorsky’s creation of the world’s first commercial helicopter to the christening of the world’s first nuclear submarine at Electric Boat's shipyards, Connecticut has long been a focal point for defense industry leadership and innovation. Once nicknamed the Arsenal of Democracy, Connecticut manufacturers bring in more than $19 billion in defense contracts annually1. The draw of defense industry advanced manufacturing, and the world-leading supply chain that enables it, is one of the reasons why Connecticut is home to the 6th highest concentration of engineers in the nation2.
Based on the strength of our aerospace and shipbuilding industries, Connecticut is one of only a few states in the country to earn the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) designation. With this prestigious designation comes access to more than $1 billion in federal funds for manufacturing economic development.
“A small state with a massive presence in the aviation industry... Every Airbus aircraft has significant U.S.-made content, and Connecticut is THE number one supplier state to Airbus. Just last year, one-third of our $15 billion spend in the U.S. was spent in Connecticut."
— Robin Hayes, Chairman and CEO of Airbus North America
Connecticut is home to “Aerospace Alley,” an industrial ecosystem of advanced manufacturing companies drawing from the 5th most productive workforce3 in America. Anchored by internationally renowned companies like jet engine-maker Pratt & Whitney, Connecticut is the #1 location in the U.S. for aircraft engine and engine parts manufacturing4 in terms of both jobs and GDP, with more than 21.4% of all aircraft engine and parts manufacturing4 located here. The state is home to over 49,300 aerospace employees at 250 aerospace manufacturing establishments5 in every corner of the state.
The state is also one of the major shipbuilding centers of the United States, with more than 17.6% of all U.S. shipbuilding and repairing located in Connecticut5. General Dynamics Electric Boat's nuclear submarine shipyards in Groton churn out some of the most complex and advanced pieces of machinery in existence and has resulted in a vast network of supply chain and bluetech manufacturers located in the region. Cutting-edge companies like ThayerMahan are creating the next generation of unmanned underwater vehicles alongside critical technologies such as seafloor mapping and undersea surveillance.
Notable Aerospace & Defense Employers in Connecticut
Hanwha Aerospace USA
Hanwha Aerospace USA is headquartered in Cheshire, CT with 3 other manufacturing facilities throughout Connecticut. The subsidiary of Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group focuses on a broad range of parts and equipment for aerospace and defense manufacturers, establishing themselves as one of the most vital pieces of Connecticut’s aerospace industry supply chain ecosystem. In 2023, Hanwha doubled down on its commitment to Connecticut by moving its International Engines Business to the state under the Hanwha Aerospace USA umbrella and continues to invest heavily in its facilities here.
.png)
Sikorsky
The world’s most famous helicopter company, with globally recognized products like the Black Hawk, Sikorsky has called Connecticut home for nearly 100 years. Headquartered in Stratford, CT, which also serves as its chief manufacturing facility, Sikorsky employs thousands in the state of Connecticut as one of the state’s top 5 largest employers and supports tens of thousands of supply chain jobs. From Coast Guard rescues and wildfire containment to military aircraft and autonomous flight, Sikorsky continues to revolutionize and perfect the helicopter and bring even greater prestige to Connecticut’s Aerospace Alley.
General Dynamics Electric Boat
Electric Boat, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, has been headquartered in Groton, CT for nearly 100 years, with their design and engineering facility located across the Thames River in New London. Since launching the world’s first nuclear submarine in 1954, Electric Boat’s shipyards have made southeastern Connecticut the nation’s premier shipbuilding and maritime center. Over the last 4 years, the company has committed more than $1 billion in upgrades to their facilities and added nearly 8,000 jobs in Connecticut, making them one of the largest employers in the state.
Pratt & Whitney
The second largest aircraft engine manufacturer in the world, and one of the top 5 largest employers in Connecticut. Pratt & Whitney has been revolutionizing the aerospace industry for 100 years. Headquartered in East Hartford, CT, Pratt & Whitney’s facilities can arguably be called the anchor of Connecticut’s famed aerospace ecosystem. Pratt & Whitney engines power everything from commercial aircraft to helicopters to next-gen fighter jets and rely on a large portion of the state’s advanced manufacturing supply chain, with many companies choosing to relocate operations to Connecticut in order to gain greater access to this industry stalwart.
Be Among the Best
.jpg)
Key Facts
#1
state for concentration of aerospace & defense jobs6
#2
most federal contract dollars per capita of any state1
16.1x
more aerospace jobs than the national average4
#4
in the nation for Aerospace & Defense Leadership7
Industry Subsectors
Aerospace and Defense Support in Connecticut
Aerospace & Defense
- Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund Voucher Program — a State fund to support the growth, innovation, and progress of the advanced manufacturing sector administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to provide grants and support an array of initiatives
- Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology — an applied technology demonstration and training center that validates, demonstrates, and assists with the adoption of leading-edge technologies into global industrial companies and the advanced manufacturing supply chain, while providing the training and education necessary to utilize the capability of these advancements and drive efficiency
- CONNSTEP — a business consulting firm focused on identifying opportunities for growth, improving productivity, and ensuring competitiveness
- CT APEX Accelerator — supports national security by ensuring a broad base of capable, Connecticut suppliers for the defense industry and other government agencies while increasing the state's business economic base
- STEP grants to help increase your exports
- Participate in the annual World's Aerospace Alley Tradeshow
- Exhibit space in the State's booth at International Air Shows
- Energy upgrade financing solutions through the Connecticut Green Bank
Aerospace & Defense/Advanced Manufacturing Sector Snapshot
◄ Get an in-depth look at Connecticut’s aerospace and defense industry cluster.
- industry trends and dynamics
- concentrations of talent and workforce pipelines in Connecticut
- Connecticut's regulatory environment
- logistical and infrastructure considerations
- the state’s strengths for companies in the state
- data and resources for companies seeking market entry into Connecticut
Learn more about Connecticut's key industries in our detailed snapshots.
1U.S Department of War, FY 2024—Nov 2025 release; U.S. Census Bureau, PEP, 2024; AdvanceCT calculations. 2Lightcast, 2024—Q3 2025 release; AdvanceCT calculations. 3GDP per capita; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024; U.S. Census Bureau, 2024; AdvanceCT calculations. 4Lightcast, 2024—Q3 2025 release; AdvanceCT calculations. 5Lightcast, 2024—Q3 2025 release. Based on aircraft; guided missiles and spacecraft; shipbuilding; armored vehicles; small arms and ammunition; communications equipment; detection, navigation, and guidance instruments; and surgical appliances manufacturing. 6Manufacturing jobs; Lightcast, 2024—Q3 2025 release. Based on aircraft; guided missiles and spacecraft; shipbuilding; armored vehicles; small arms and ammunition; communications equipment; detection, navigation, and guidance instruments; and surgical appliances manufacturing. 7Business Facilities, 2024.
