North Alabama is a world leader in the research and design of missile systems, aviation technology and rocket design and propulsion. The region is anchored by U. S. Army missile and helicopter research at Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal, propulsion research and management at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, rocket design and manufacturing by Boeing and more that 200 other research, design, engineering and production companies. North Alabama is a recognized hub of the aerospace and defense industries employing more that 40,000 people.
North Alabama holds many critical advantages for Aerospace and Defense companies:
- Federal Investment: North Alabama is home to the nation’s missile and propulsion research. The recent relocation of 5,000 plus jobs through the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process indicates the critical role the region will continue to play in the future.
- Experienced Workforce: Aerospace and Defense currently employs more than 40,000 people in the region. One out of 12 residents in the Huntsville area is a scientist, engineer or technologist.
- A Critical Mass of Companies: More than 200 Aerospace and Defense companies are located in North Alabama.
- Universities and Education: the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Alabama A&M University have strong research partnerships with NASA and the Army as well as private industry. K-12 schools emphasize science and technology and expose students to the aerospace industry from the earliest years..
- Strong Partnerships and Associations: the Alabama Aerospace Industry Association links aerospace companies together across the state to collaborate and solve common problems; the Tennessee Valley Corridor connects the science and technology assets of the region with the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U. S. Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Center and other research facilities; and the Alabama Space Exploration Initiative is an alliance of the state government, NASA, universities and industry to support the space program.
Redstone Arsenal is home to the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command and the Aviation and Missile Command. The commands of the Missile Defense Agency and the Army Material Command as well as the Army’s Helicopter Test and Research Center are in the process of moving to Redstone as part of the military’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC.) The Army currently employs 14,600 people with that number expected to rise by at least 2,000 employees in the coming years due to BRAC. Combined with contract support employment, the military defense industry employs 32,000 people in North Alabama.
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center is also located on Redstone Arsenal and is the birthplace of the nation’s space program and the Saturn V Rocket. Today it serves as NASA’s center for propulsion research including developing a new space launch vehicle for planned trips to the Moon and eventually Mars. In addition, employees at Marshall manage scientific experiments performed aboard the International Space Station. NASA directly employs more than 2,500 people in the region.
Supporting Redstone and other projects as well are more than 200 aerospace companies located in North Alabama. Nearly every major aerospace company is represented in the region including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and Boeing who, in addition to research and engineering, builds rockets in Decatur. |
Resources:
The Huntsville R&D Report
Links:
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Barton Riverfront Industrial Park, 785 acres
