The aerospace industry in Northern Kentucky provides residents with immense excitement and pride. The work that thousands of residents do for aerospace companies has an impact that’s global. And beyond. 

Within the aerospace sector in Kentucky, companies are working on:

  • aircrafts
  • aircraft engines
  • parts and supplies
  • missiles
  • vehicles for use in space

This work is being done by new and long-established companies. They have come together in this region because of the experience, innovation, and opportunities available. Let’s take a look at Kentucky’s aerospace industry and discover why so many successful aerospace companies call Northern Kentucky home.

An Overview of the Aerospace Industry in Northern Kentucky

Based strictly on revenue, the aerospace sector of Kentucky is one of the top ten industries in the state. 

  • There are 100+ aerospace companies in Kentucky. They include everything from software start-ups to companies developing urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles. 
  • Nearly 30 of those companies are centralized in Northern Kentucky. 
  • Over 11,000 residents work for Northern Kentucky aerospace companies alone.

An Economic Boost

  • In the past 7 years, the aerospace industry has invested $3.2 billion in Kentucky-based growth projects and announced over 7,100 new jobs.
  • In 2023, the aerospace sector in Kentucky exported $13+ billion in parts and products.
    • In 2022, the area ranked #2 in aerospace exports and 
  • Home to the #1 fastest-growing North American Cargo airport with 50+ non-stop destinations.

Kentucky’s aerospace exports are the second-highest total in the entire United States.

The Aviation Sector of Kentucky

Kentucky is home to companies involved in every aspect of aviation. Most of those companies are working in one of four areas:

  1. Manufacturing
  2. Freight/Distribution
  3. Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)
  4. Logistics Management & Consulting

Many companies are excelling in those areas. Others are finding success in aerospace growth. This includes opportunities in aerospace innovation like:

  • space defense systems
  • the use of AI-based solutions
  • electric propulsion
  • autonomous flight systems
  • lighter, stronger, more durable materials

Kentucky Holds Advantages for Aerospace Industry Growth 

There are a number of advantages that companies working in aerospace technology in Kentucky will find. Three of the biggest are:

1. World-class airports

You want to be surrounded by the best your industry can offer. It’s easy to get materials and people into and out of the region with easy-to-access, world-class commercial airports. Plus there are two global air cargo hubs nearby as well.

  • A Skytrax World Airport Survey named the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport the “Best Airport in North America Serving 2-5 Million Passengers.”

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is one of the Top Ten airports for handling cargo in the United States. This is due in part to DHL and Amazon making the airport a regional hub.

 

2. An educated workforce

Kentucky is filled with thousands of skilled aerospace workers. And the state is training the next generation of aerospace innovators. Every year, over 5,000 students graduate with an engineering degree within a 75-mile radius of Northern Kentucky.

An educational option of a different kind can be found within two hours from the region at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base located near Dayton, Ohio. The 12.5 sq. mi. base offers a civilian associate degree program and museum where you can study aircraft up close.

3. Competitive growth

A recent study found that competitive growth is critical for the long-term success of a business. With so many companies involved in aerospace technology in Kentucky, that competition brings communal success. In fact, in a five-year period, industry growth in the region exceeded the national average by 70%. 

 

Aerospace Companies in Kentucky

Three of the largest aerospace companies in the United States – 

  • Lockheed Martin
  • GE Aviation
  • Raytheon

do a large percentage of their work in Kentucky. They are joined by many other companies focused on aerospace technology in Kentucky including:

Safran Landing Systems
The top manufacturer of aircraft landing and brake systems in the US is located in Northern Kentucky. Safran expanded their footprint in the region in 2023. 

 “This investment will allow us to bolster our manufacturing capabilities with the addition of new equipment and strengthen our workforce to meet increased production volumes as we support our U.S. military and commercial customers.”

DESMA USA
DESMA is intricately involved in aviation manufacturing in Kentucky. This is because they are the “…only complete systems provider in North America for injection molding solutions.”  They are particularly skilled in the development of rubberized track systems for military use.

Zotefoams
One of the cornerstones of aerospace manufacturing in Kentucky is Zotefoams. The company develops polymer-based foam solutions for the aerospace industry. 

Zotefoams recently completed a $20+ million dollar facility expansion. It added 25 jobs and allowed the company to develop a full-process location. This makes it more efficient to work with customers in the growing aerospace sector in Kentucky.

Meyer Tool
Meyer Tool provides services from manufacturing to machining and coating to the aerospace industry. They have earned a number of industry certifications and FAA approvals which allow them to service the commercial, military, and business aviation industries.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Meyer has multiple manufacturing plants in the Northern Kentucky region

The Future of the Aerospace Industry in Northern Kentucky

Kentucky’s:

  • location
  • established logistics companies
  • strong manufacturing history 

have helped it to become a key site for the growth of the aerospace industry. Future prospects for growth are being supported by state and local governments. The companies currently involved in the aerospace sector in Kentucky are also investing in its growth.

The AERO act

The Kentucky legislature passed and signed into law the Aerospace Education Reinvestment Opportunity (AERO) Act earlier this year. This new law will create a series of scholarships to help students start their careers in the aerospace industry. It will also establish a number of educational opportunities supported by private and public partnerships.

Vertiports

In the near future we may be making short trips in hydrogen-powered, pilotless flight systems. Those craft, and others like them, will need to operate from a vertiport. The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has started to explore how they would incorporate a vertiport. This forward-thinking shows the dedication of the key aerospace players in the region to prepare for the future of the industry.

R&D Opportunities

With over 20 universities and colleges in the region, Northern Kentucky is a hub for aerospace R&D opportunities. 

Morehead State University has been named as a NASA space grant university. This designation is due in part to the establishment of the Ronald G. Eaglin Space Science Center.   

These students can explore and develop new aerospace technologies with the help of:

  • A 21-meter space antenna system
  • RF and electronics laboratories
  • Anechoic chambers that mimic the electromagnetic environment of space
  • The space systems development laboratory

At the University of Kentucky, students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering are researching ways to address problems on the International Space Station before they happen.

Students looking to develop aerospace R&D skills can enroll in The Advanced Manufacturing Technician Program (AMT)/NKY Fame at Gateway Community & Technical College. They will have a chance to learn the keys to innovation in the aerospace industry and also to apply those skills in an apprenticeship with participating companies including:

The Future of the Aerospace Industry in Northern Kentucky

BE NKY Growth Partnership believes that the key to the success of the aerospace industry in Northern Kentucky can be summed up in three words:

“Access. Access. Access.”

  • Access to top players in the industry as well as Northern Kentucky aerospace startups.
  • Access to a knowledgeable, experienced, and curious talent pool. 
  • Access to a labor pool potential of over 1.5 million people. 
  • Access to infrastructure, transportation, and world-class cargo ports. 
  • Access to the knowledge and know-how that comes from years of experience in growing an industry.

Whether you are looking to expand your aerospace footprint or relocate to the region, BE NKY can help. Their experts can offer advice on site selections, business incentives, tax credits, and more. Contact them today to explore the aerospace industry in Northern Kentucky.