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"From the beginning of this competition, Virginia understood our business needs and worked hard to put forward a world class proposal," said Sir John Rose, Rolls-Royce Chief Executive.


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Skip Navigation Links Home > Business Sectors > Aerospace

Virginia: The New Aerospace Center
Virginia's Aerospace Contact:
Ralph Stephenson
Project Manager . Business Development . Transportation Team
804-545-5726
RStephenson@YesVirginia.org

An Ideal Launch Pad for Success
Virginia has played a leading role in advancing the American aerospace industry since 1917, when NASA Langley Research Center—the nation’s first civil aeronautics laboratory—was established in Hampton, Virginia. In 2007, Rolls-Royce announced it will build a state-of-the-art aeroengine facility in Prince George County, creating 500 new jobs.

Virginia's Aerospace Industry

  • Employs more than 27,000

  • Home to Rolls-Royce new North American plant

  • Home to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport

  • Home to the National Institute of Aerospace

  • More than 350 companies—227 in the Aerospace Technology sector and 75 in the Aerospace Equipment sector

  • Supported by 369 machine shops employing 4,600

  • Benefits from ranking second in the nation for U.S. Department of Defense Prime Contracts ($29.3 billion)

  • Direct economic output of $5.6 billion

  • Central location on the Atlantic Coast provides interstate and rail access to the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest

  • Access to international markets provided by the Port of Hampton Roads and Washington-Dulles International Airport

Click Graphic for Interactive Map

Aerospace Companies doing business in Virginia

 

Aerospace Industry Employment in Virginia, 2007



In 2007, Virginia's Aerospace Industry employed more than 27,000 Virginians. The top two sectors by employment are Aerospace Technology (11,200) and Aerospace Equipment (8,600). Virginia's Aerospace Industry covers research and development in private, academic, and government as well as the production of aerospace equipment. The industry represents $5.6 billion in economic output, with an additional $3.9 billion in direct support of the Aerospace Industry in Virginia.

Aerospace Industry Firms in Virginia, 2007



Virginia is home to 368 Aerospace companies involved in Equipment, Headquarters, Technology, and Government. The top two sectors for the industry are Aerospace Technology (227) and Aerospace Equipment (75). These two sectors comprise 82% of Virginia's Aerospace companies.

Major Aerospace Employers in Virginia
Aerojet
Alcoa
Howmet
Aurora Flight Science
BAE Systems North America
Boeing
Dynamic Aviation Group
EADS North America
General Dynamics
Goodyear Tire & Rubber
Kollmorgen
L3 Titan Group
Lockheed Martin
Moog
NASA
Northrop Grumman
Orbital Sciences
Raytheon
Rockwell Collins
Rolls-Royce North America
Swales Aerospace

New and Expanding Aerospace Companies in Virginia

In the past ten years, 48 Aerospace Industry projects have announced over 6,200 new jobs and investments of $1.03 billion.

Recent major announcements include
Orbital Sciences
Rolls-Royce
Alcoa Howmet
Euro-Composites
Athena Technologies
Agusta Westland


Virginia's Pro-Business Operating Environment

The Commonwealth of Virginia offers companies a favorable business environment characterized by a stable, competitive tax structure and legislation that protects "at will" and "right-to-work" employment practices.
  • Worker's compensation and unemployment insurance payroll expenses are consistently among the lowest in the nation

  • 6% corporate income tax accounts for less than 10% of total state tax revenues and has not changed in over thirty years

  • Manufacturers receive broad sales tax exemptions for purchases of machinery, tools, replacement parts and raw materials used in the production process, as well as all utilities delivered through pipes, mains, and lines for all purposes

  • Virginia does not tax accounts receivable, inventory, computer software or other intangibles, and does not levy a license tax on gross receipts

  • The primary local taxes apply to real estate and machinery and equipment

  • There are no school taxes in Virginia

  • Virginia has extremely reliable electric service at very competitive rates—average cost per unit of electricity for the industrial sector is 4.63 cents in Virginia, compared to 6.15 cents for the nation

  • Unsurpassed quality of life—healthcare, educational and recreational benefits for families rank among the finest available anywhere in the United States

Virginia is a Leading Gateway to the World
  • Two of the nation's largest railroads, CSX Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation, have extensive infrastructure throughout the State

  • Fourteen railroads operate on more than 3,400 miles of railway in Virginia, of which more than 3,100 miles are Class I—one of the strongest rail networks in the nation

  • Six interstate highways and direct, double-stacked rail connections provide quick access to Northeast, Southeast and Midwest markets

  • 14 commercial airports serve the Commonwealth, including two of the nation's largest, Washington Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National

  • The Port of Virginia is the second largest intermodal facility on the East Coast and, due to natural harbor depth and Suez-class cranes, the only East Coast location capable of handling post-Panamax vessels as first port of call

  • The Port of Virginia offers a schedule of approximately 3,000 sailings annually to more than 250 ports in 100 foreign countries

Education and Training

The National Institute of Aerospace is a research and graduate education institute created to conduct leading-edge aerospace and atmospheric research, develop new technologies, and help prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers. NIA is a strategic partner of NASA Langley Research Center and works through a consortium of research universities including Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, Old Dominion University, and William and Mary.

The Virginia Community College System provides education and training programs for Virginians and Virginia businesses. Degree programs include:
  • CAD/CAM

  • Engineering Technology

  • Industrial Electronics

  • Industrial Production

  • Industrial Technology

  • Mechanical Engineering Technologies

  • Welding

Virginia's Aerospace Research and Development Assets
  • Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

  • NASA Langley Research Center

  • NASA Wallops Flight Facility

  • National Institute of Aerospace

  • Joint Training, Analysis, and Simulation Center

  • Old Dominion University's Langley Full Scale Wind Tunnel

  • The Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center

  • University of Virginia's Aerospace Research Laboratory

  • Virginia Tech's Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering

Virginia's Government and Military Assets
  • The Pentagon

  • Central Intelligence Agency

  • Department of Homeland Security

  • Ballistic Missile Defense Organization

  • Defense Technical Information Center

  • Fort Belvoir

  • Fort Eustis

  • Fort Lee

  • Langley Air Force Base

  • Department of Homeland Security

  • National Ground Intelligence Center

  • National Reconnaissance Office

  • Naval Air Station, Oceana

  • Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren

  • Norfolk Naval Base

  • Office of Naval Research

  • Quantico