Aerospace & Defense Industries in Connecticut

Connecticut has been a pioneer in aerospace and defense for centuries. 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 annually in defense contracts¹.

Connecticut is home to “Aerospace Alley,” an industrial ecosystem of thousands of advanced manufacturing companies drawing from the 6^th most productive workforce² 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 manufacturing³ in terms of both jobs and GDP, with more than 25% of all aircraft engine and parts manufacturing⁴ located in here. 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.

Key Facts

#1 state for per capita federal defense contract dollars, #7 for overall federal contract dollars received⁵
#4 in the nation for Aerospace & Defense Leadership⁶
16% of all U.S. shipbuilding and repairing is located in Connecticut⁷
#6 highest concentration of engineers in the U.S.⁸

#1 for Aerospace Worker Productivity⁹
#8 most aerospace engineers per capita¹⁰
#1 most per capita aerospace employment in the U.S., with more than 32,400 aerospace employees¹¹
240+ aerospace manufacturing establishments have made their home in Connecticut¹²

“Connecticut is an excellent fit for us. We have found the talent, customers, academic partnerships, and state support in one place. The partnerships we have been able to establish in Connecticut have been vital to our success and growth.”

— Tim te Riele, Head of Hanwha Aerospace International Engines Business

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

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/Manufacturing Industry 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, 2022;²U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2022, AdvanceCT calculations; ³Lightcast, 2022, AdvanceCT calculations;⁴Lightcast, 2022, AdvanceCT calculations; ⁵Department of Defense, 2022; ⁶Business Facilities Magazine, 2023;⁷Lightcast, 2020, AdvanceCT calculations;⁸Lightcast, 2022; AdvanceCT calculations; ⁹Lightcast, 2021, AdvanceCT calculations;¹⁰U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022; ¹¹U.S. Census Bureau, CBP, 2021; ¹²Lightcast, 2021, AdvanceCT calculations)