Aerospace & 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 $21.4 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 6^th 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.

Connecticut is home to “Aerospace Alley,” an industrial ecosystem of thousands of advanced manufacturing companies drawing from the 5^th 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 25% of all aircraft engine and parts manufacturing⁵ located here. The state is home to over 28,150 aerospace employees⁶ at more than 240 aerospace manufacturing establishments⁷ in every corner of the state, with the state also boasting the 7^th highest concentration of aerospace engineers in the country⁸.

The state is also one of the major shipbuilding centers of the United States, with more than 16% of all U.S. shipbuilding and repairing located in Connecticut⁹. 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. 

Key Facts

 

state for per capita federal defense contract dollars per capita¹⁰

 

for aerospace worker productivity¹²

 

most per capita aerospace employment in the U.S.¹¹

 

in the nation for Aerospace & Defense Leadership¹³

Aerospace and Defense Support in Connecticut

• 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 
• Connecticut Procurement Technical Assistance Center — 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

Accelerate Growth & Innovation

• 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

Optimize Site & Operations

• Urban and Industrial Sites Reinvestment Tax Credit
• Enterprise Zones
• Opportunity Zones
• C-PACE Clean Energy Financing Programs

Reduce Taxes

• Manufacturing and Biotechnology Sales and Use Tax Exemption
• Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment Tax Exemption
• Learn about more State incentives and programs

 

 

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.

¹Department of Defense, 2023; ²Lightcast, 2022, AdvanceCT calculations; ³GDP per capita, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2023; U.S. Census Bureau, 2023; AdvanceCT calculations; ⁴Lightcast, 2022, AdvanceCT calculations; ⁵Lightcast, 2022, AdvanceCT calculations; ⁶U.S. Census Bureau, 2022; ⁷Lightcast, 2023, AdvanceCT calculations; ⁸U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023; ⁹Lightcast, 2023, AdvanceCT calculations; ¹⁰U.S. Department of Defense, 2022, U.S. Census Bureau, PEP, 2022, AdvanceCT calculations; ¹¹U.S. Census Bureau 2022; ¹²Lightcast, 2022, AdvanceCT calculations; ¹³Business Facilities, 2024