Defense

The Frontline of the Future

#1

Largest Manufacturing Workforce in the Southeast

#1

Largest Military Base in the World at Fort Liberty

20K

Active Military Exit into the Civilian Workforce Annually

Soldier using tablet to navigate
Defense
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North Carolina Ranked CNBC’s #1 State for Business

For the second year in a row, CNBC has named North Carolina America’s Top State for Business. A world-class workforce played a major role in securing the top spot as did a thriving economy and a low cost of living.

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A top-notch tech innovation ecosystem, defense contractor opportunities, academic and industry partnerships, and an expansive commitment to national defense will help your company succeed here.

8
US Armed Forces Military Installations
$9B
in federal DoD contracts awarded in 2022
#3
Most Attractive State - Aerospace Manufacturing
94K
Active- Duty Military Stationed in NC

Expansive Commitment to National Defense

The NC Department of Military and Veteran Affairs ensures that our veterans, military members, and their families are supported while other partnerships exist to focus on developing innovative defense technologies.

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Active-Duty Military Makes Its Mark Here

North Carolina has the 4th-largest active-duty military population in the US. Over 20,000 (mostly aged 30 and younger) military personnel with in-demand experience in fields like engineering, IT, healthcare, and more re-enter the workforce each year.

Soldiers at Ft Liberty

Top-Notch Training and Maintenance Infrastructure

Multiple training, research, and maintenance facilities are near NC’s military installations. The Fleet Readiness Center East serves as a Naval Aviation maintenance and repair depot and NC’s Global TransPark offers the Composite Center of Excellence training center.

Man servicing aircraft

High Tech Research and Development

The Research Triangle Park in the Raleigh-Durham area is home to major federal defense contractors like IBM and GlaxoSmithKline. Three Tier-1 universities support research and development efforts in cybersecurity, AI, robotics, and more.

Student operating robotic arm

Defense Companies in North Carolina

North Carolina is committed to maintaining the technological advantage for the nation and our Armed Forces. Blue-chip companies performing defense-related work in North Carolina include:

GE Aviation

Honeywell Logo

Honeywell

lockheed logo

Lockheed Martin

Pratt & Whitney logo

Pratt & Whitney

RTX logo

RTX Corporation

Bae Systems logo

Bae Systems

Boeing logo

Boeing

Booz Allen Hamilton logo

Booz Allen Hamilton

General Dynamics

General Dynamics

GM Defense logo

GM Defense

IBM logo

IBM

Northrop Grumman logo

Northrop Grumman

RTI International

We chose North Carolina for its infrastructure, its consistent ranking as one of the top states to do business, its world-class education system, and its outstanding and diverse workforce.

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Learn More About NC's Thriving Defense Industry.

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Bryn Covington

Bryn Covington

Business Development Associate