From the discovery of Pluto to the production of unmanned aerial systems (UASs), Arizona has fostered the pioneering spirit in aerospace and defense for generations. That passion for innovation lives on in the Grand Canyon state, where more than 350 days of sunshine and cloudless skies – ideal for stargazing, testing and flying – have attracted industry giants such as Raytheon, Honeywell, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and more.

Today, Arizona is raising the bar—driving its success with lower taxes, a less regulating state government, a competitive incentives package and exceptional aerospace and engineering programs at the university level. Arizona’s impressive resume includes top 10 rankings in Department of Defense contracts, aerospace and defense manufacturing, aerospace exports and aerospace jobs.

Technology leads the way

Leading-edge science, technology and innovation have long provided the engine for Arizona’s continued economic growth. Arizona companies face new kinds of competition from China, India, and other countries that are shifting their emphasis from providing low cost products and services to developing high-technologies and innovation. Fostering science, technology and innovation is the key for Arizona to retain its competitive edge.

Arizona has been at the forefront of U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, biomedical and surgical instrument manufacturing, aviation and aerospace manufacturing. With continuous investment in research and development, Arizona can lead the U.S. and the rest of the world in the research and innovation required for economic growth in critical global niches related to a wide variety of technologies including semiconductor materials and design, computer systems design, optics and photonics, unmanned flight, as well as solar energy production. Moving forward, Arizona’s science and technology industries are going to continuously grow with steady investment in technology and innovation at both academic and industrial level.