Top Facts about the Defense and Aerospace Industry in Northeast Indiana

1. Indiana has the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the nation among states competing for defense contracts.
2. Northeast Indiana is about 225 miles from six of the top 15 engineering schools in the nation.
3. Every second, somewhere in the world, an aircraft lands or takes off with control systems made or maintained in Northeast Indiana.
4. Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) has a nearly 12,000-foot runway and a cargo-sort facility. It also serves as a foreign trade zone (FTZ #182).
5. Northeast Indiana is home to hundreds of Department of Defense suppliers and service providers.
6. PWC named Indiana the 6th most attractive state for aerospace manufacturing attractiveness.

Defense and Aerospace Talent

In Northeast Indiana, we know that our defense and aerospace companies require the nation’s best talent. And we are committed to providing it. Coupling our certified training programs with higher-education engineering and IT degrees, we are ensuring local defense and aerospace businesses have the talent pipeline they need.

1. Northeast Indiana employs 10,800 residents in defense and aerospace.
2. The region is home to more than 38,000 engineers, which is 46% higher than the national average.
3. Northeast Indiana is known for its top engineering programs at Purdue University Fort Wayne and Trine University.

Business Climate

• Leaders from top companies formed the Northeast Indiana Defense Industry Association (NIDIA), working together to enhance the region’s talent pipeline in the defense and aerospace industry.
• The 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne employs approximately 1,000 individuals and creates over $77 million in economic impact.

Investments in Defense

• In 2020, BAE Systems purchased Collins Aerospace’s military GPS business from Raytheon Technologies Corporation for $1.9 billion with a commitment to continue to do business in Fort Wayne because of access to top talent.
• In 2021, L3Harris Technologies completed a 45,000-square-foot expansion in Fort Wayne, hiring 100 new employees. Since 2018, L3Harris has invested over $50 million in its Fort Wayne facility.