Kentucky Aerospace, Aviation, & Defense Industry

Kentucky Aerospace, Aviation, & Defense Industry

<< BACK TO START   << BACK TO SUPPLY FLOWS

Kentucky Aerospace, Aviation, & Defense Industry

Aerospace and Aviation are two industries rising to new prominence in Kentucky. Because of Kentucky’s strong military identity with installations such as Ft. Knox, Ft. Campbell, and Bluegrass Army Depot, opportunities for Kentucky to benefit from defense contracting are coming into focus. The nature of national defense and its ties to aerospace and aviation means opportunities in each sector must be considered individually as well as understanding where they overlap.
Get The Most Out Of This Site
This website is designed to showcase the different ways Aerospace and Aviation are rising to prominence in Kentucky. Because of Kentucky’s strong military identity with installations such as Ft. Knox, Ft. Campbell, and Bluegrass Army Depot, opportunities for Kentucky to benefit from defense contracting are coming into focus. The nature of national defense and its ties to aerospace and aviation means opportunities in each sector must be considered individually as well as understanding where they overlap. Here is how you can get the most out of this site:
  • On the homepage, hover over the icons in the blue box if you would like to learn more information on how Aerospace and Aviation is impacting Kentucky.
  • If you would like to find out information about Aerospace and Aviation industries in your region, click here.
  • If you would like to find defense industries in your region, click here.
  • To explore defense industry supply chain flows, click here.
  • To read full industry studies, click here.
  • To read full regional reports, click here.
  • To read the Executive Summary for the Aerospace and Aviation Study, click here.
  • To read the Executive Summary for the Defense Study, click here.
  • To read a 2019 update on Department of Defense contracting and the Economic Impact of Aerospace & Aviation and Defense click here.

$17.4 Billion

Annual Economic Impact of Kentucky's Defense Activity

The total economic impact of $17.4 billion includes the direct and indirect impacts of Kentucky's Department of Defense contracts and its military installations in FY18. It represents 3.9% of the state's overall economic activity.

869

Defense Contract Recipients, FY15-FY18

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) contracted for $25.59 billion with 869 companies working in Kentucky from 611 different industry categories between FY15 and FY18.

$12.56 Billion

2018 Aerospace Manufacturing Exports

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Kentucky ranked 2nd in the country in international exports of Aerospace Product and Parts in 2018, valued at $12.56 billion.

20,903

Total Jobs Supported by the A&A Cluster

In total, the cluster supports close to 21,000 jobs and $1.46 billion in wages. There are approximately 9,300 people directly employed in the cluster, but the economic activity it generates supports additional jobs.

Find Aerospace & Aviation Industries In Your Region

Find Defense Industries In Your Region

Explore Defense Industry Supply Chain Flows

Read Full Industry Studies

Read Full Regional Reports

Read 2019 Industry Updates

Read the Executive Summary for
the Aerospace & Aviation Study

Read the Executive Summary for
the Defense Study

In a move to assure Kentucky realizes its full potential to leverage these opportunities, the Kentucky General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution 100 (HJR100) in 2015. The resolution directed the Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs (KCMA), the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KyTC), the Kentucky Aviation Association (KAA), and the Cabinet for Economic Development (CED) to study the economic impact of the overall aerospace/aviation industry in the Commonwealth and to report the findings to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission (LRC).