The Aerospace Alliance looks towards the future.
As we enter this new year, we want to share some of the exciting aviation and aerospace industry goings-on to look out for in 2022. Our region’s investments in talent, infrastructure, site readiness and research continue to attract industries of all sizes. The Alliance states have drawn some of the world’s most recognizable names in the industry and continue to expand and make innovations in aviation, aerospace and space exploration – and these innovations are only amping up as we enter a new year.
Here is what the Alliance heads of state had to say about what our region has to be excited about in 2022…
“Alabama is home to many of the world’s most dynamic aerospace companies and where groundbreaking developments are advancing the future of the industry in 2022. In Mobile, Airbus’ only U.S. manufacturing center now produces two aircraft types amid plans for a production ramp-up as air travel begins to return to normal.
Meanwhile, in North Alabama, Lockheed Martin just opened a digital facility to support the development of futuristic hypersonic missiles to keep our nation safe, and the United Launch Alliance is building its next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket, which will blast off for the first time this year. These are but a few examples that show that Alabama is on the cutting edge of the most technologically advanced aerospace and defense programs in the world.”—Greg Canfield Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce
“Our hope is that 2022 will be remembered as a year that Louisiana and our Gulf Coast, international and commercial partners helped usher in a new age of science and exploration. That new era begins in the coming months with the scheduled first flight of Artemis 1 and the validation of SLS Block 1 hardware. With future Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the moon, and use innovative technologies to explore the lunar surface with an eye toward similar explorations of Mars.
Aerospace Alliance member states have contributed mightily to Artemis, as well as to commercial and scientific space programs and commercial and military aviation growth. America’s aerospace and aviation sector generates over $1.7 trillion in U.S. economic impact annually. By increasing member states’ focus on research and development, our small businesses can compete for than $280 million in NASA’s innovate research and technology programs and garner other research and business opportunities involving aviation and aerospace. Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi understand this, and it is with confidence that we say the best is yet to come.”—Don Pierson, Secretary of Commerce, Louisiana Economic Development
“Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida is an international epicenter of the aviation and aerospace industry. Not only is Florida the undisputed air traffic hub of the Americas, but it also continues to pave the way for a booming space industry. In 2021, 31 launches took off from Florida’s Space Coast. The space industry is expected to grow this year with three new space vehicles expected to launch from Florida’s Space Coast.”—Marc Adler, Acting Secretary of Commerce, President and CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc.
“Mississippi is recognized as a global leader in the aerospace industry. We are home to companies like Airbus, which produces helicopters for the U.S. Army, law enforcement and medical transport; General Atomics; Northrop Grumman; and headquarters to Vertex Aerospace. We also play a crucial role in the space industry. At NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Relativity tests 3D-printed engines and rockets, and Aerojet Rocketdyne assembles and tests the engines for NASA’s Space Launch System, which is anticipated to be the most powerful rocket in the world and will power missions to the moon and eventually to Mars.
Additionally, Mississippi State University, home to Raspet Flight Laboratory and the FAA’s Center of Excellence for UAS Research; the University of Mississippi, home to the Center for Manufacturing Excellence and Air and Space Law Program; and our community colleges, are preparing a first-class workforce to take on the in-demand jobs these key sectors will generate well into the future.”—Laura Hipp, Interim Director, Mississippi Development Authority
“From Miami to the Panhandle, the aerospace and aviation industry is booming in Florida. In addition to the state’s status as a global MRO leader, there’s a growing cluster of flight training facilities and international aviation headquarters in South Florida, the center of the commercial space industry on the Space Coast is more active than ever, and Northwest Florida is ready for growth in the aerospace and aviation manufacturing sectors. We’re excited to watch the continued growth not only in Florida but across all of the states in the Aerospace Alliance.”—Crystal Stiles, Senior Director of Economic Development, Florida Power & Light Company