My View: Aerospace, defense, space and aviation merge into Arizona ecosystem

With a career that traces my early years to roles in aerospace and defense engineering and manufacturing, it likely comes as no surprise that my ongoing interest in these fields is deep-rooted. Turns out that background comes in handy for keeping track of what’s taking shape as Arizona now is high flying in those fields, as well as space and aviation.

An evolution is happening as companies, government, academia and partnerships are at the heart what has been taking shape. I’m proud to report that this movement also includes the Arizona Technology Council and its members from a variety of disciplines.

A prime example of partnerships is the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) and Southwest Mission Acceleration Center launching the Arizona Office of Defense Innovation to grow the state’s aerospace and defense leadership, as well as increase U.S. Department of Defense missions in our state and speed genesis of dual-purpose technologies. The intended result is creation of high-wage jobs in space systems; aerial systems; defense electronics; missile, helicopter and satellite manufacturing; and aircraft modification.

Arizona already has a head start. Consider that in U.S. aerospace and defense, the state in 2024 was No. 1 for concentration of guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing, as well as optics and photonic manufacturing job growth. Add to that the fact that Arizona was in the top two for largest guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing employment in 2024 and top three for aerospace manufacturing attractiveness in 2025.

To help find who does what, ACA also hosts the interactive Arizona Aerospace & Defense Supply Chain Directory as a way for aerospace and defense firms to connect with Arizona-based suppliers. The online database of more than 1,250 companies allows searches by industry, size, products, services and certifications.

Another program with an ACA connection is its oversight of Future48 Workforce Accelerators in which Arizona community colleges are the sites for teaching skills needed in advanced manufacturing. In particular, Council members Boeing and Honeywell Aerospace are partners for the launch of an aerospace and defense-focused accelerator scheduled to open in the fall at Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s Williams campus.

The industry also is well-represented in the Council’s Aerospace, Aviation, Space, and Defense Committee, formed to position our state as a global hub of excellence in these fields. The committee drives innovation and addresses critical challenges in these sectors by encouraging collaboration among industry leaders, academia, government agencies and emerging companies.

If this sounds intriguing to you and your organization, I invite you to join us July 15 for the 2026 Arizona Aerospace Summit presented by the Council and the University of Arizona at the Tucson Convention Center Grand Ballroom. Speakers will include Jim Bridenstine, CEO of Quantum Space, former NASA administrator and U.S. representative; Timothy Gallaudet, CEO of Ocean STL Consulting, former acting administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral; Robin Rand, president and CEO of the Kyl Institute for National Security, retired general who served as commander of Air Force Global Strike Command; and Michael Robbins, president and CEO of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International. For details and to register, please visit www.aztechcouncil.org/event/az-aerospace-summit-2026/.

While the event will offer a daylong view of where our state is headed, I’m already getting the chance to help shape the future as a member of the Arizona Space Commission, launched to support strategic growth in space exploration, manufacturing, and research and development.

The commission is charged with establishing by year’s end the framework to advance Arizona as a nationally competitive and globally relevant space state. The goals for a five-year plan include advancing space technology and research biology leadership, fostering a thriving ecosystem, enabling space-friendly policy and infrastructure, executing priority place-based infrastructure opportunities, building strategic partnerships, showcasing our space capabilities, and developing the workforce and talent.

The Council’s members among Arizona-based universities are already involved in these types of activities. Unity of purpose was demonstrated when Arizona State University, The University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University became colleagues in NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex mission that successfully returned samples from the asteroid Bennu. U of A led the mission’s science team, ASU created and operated the spectrometer used to analyze the samples, and NAU conducted thermal and data analyses.

In our own backyard, ASU’s School of Earth and Space Exploration is one of the country’s premier interdisciplinary space programs, integrating planetary science, astrophysics, geology, engineering and exploration technologies. ASU already has been part of many NASA missions, including Psyche, Mars missions and lunar initiatives. The university also is involved in satellite systems, artificial intelligence applications for space exploration, advanced materials, additive manufacturing, and workforce development for aerospace and semiconductor industries.

Besides U of A’s Steward Observatory and Lunar and Planetary Laboratory counted among the most respected institutions of their kind, the university has played central roles in many of NASA’s most important missions. The University of Arizona Space Institute provides advanced technologies, testing facilities and services that create a collaborative atmosphere for university experts to work with researchers and industry.

The university is also home to world-leading expertise in optical sciences through the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, which supports advanced telescope systems, space imaging, sensing technologies and national security applications.

U of A also hosts the Kyl Institute for National Security, whose vision is to be a leading force in advancing the university’s national security mission through space research and workforce development. Strategic focus areas include space, hypersonics, optics and cybersecurity.

Among NAU’s contributions is the Lowell Discovery Telescope being at the forefront of research into near-Earth asteroids, exoplanets and stellar astrophysics, as well as the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science contributing to data analysis and tracking for major interstellar programs such as the NEO Surveyor space telescope mission.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott campus has become increasingly active in space systems, uncrewed aerial systems, applied research, and workforce preparation for the aerospace and defense sectors. The university maintains strong industry and military ties while contributing significantly to the state’s aviation and aerospace talent pipeline.

University of Advancing Technology in Tempe also supports the aerospace ecosystem. Its courses include Autonomous Aerial Vehicles to let students explore computer control of both fixed-wing and rotorcraft aerial vehicles, as well as software techniques for controlling them. With a twist on traditional history classes, Aerospace in America emphasizes United States and aerospace histories to teach how each influenced and shaped the other.

When I think of what lies ahead for Arizona, my head definitely isn’t in the clouds. Based on what has been accomplished so far in aerospace, defense, space and aviation, we are poised to take the lead.

Steve Zylstra is president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council and SciTech Institute.