Silent Ascent

PUBLISHED AUGUST 2025

Beneath the iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis, a different kind of ascent is underway. Forget Wall Street buzz or Silicon Valley hype. In the heartland, Missouri is orchestrating a multi-billion-dollar aerospace revolution, transforming its legacy manufacturing muscle into a dominant force in the skies—and in space. Fueled by strategic investments, critical public/private collaborations and alliances, and an unparalleled talent pipeline, the Show-Me State is showing the world how to build an aerospace ecosystem for the 21st century.

The $5 Billion Lift-Off

The numbers speak with the roar of a jet engine. Across the St. Louis region alone, over $5 billion in recent aerospace investments already are reshaping the economic landscape. This isn’t scattered growth; it’s a concentrated surge. Leading the charge is aerospace titan Boeing, which earlier this year landed the $20 billion for initial production of the sixth-generation F-47 fighter jet. If all 185 aircraft originally envisioned are built, the value of that deal could exceed $55 billion, with implications not limited to Boeing.

“What really helps the state’s manufacturing a lot is the aerospace industry, and one of the major companies there is Boeing,” says Richard Billo, director of the Kummer Center for Advanced Manufacturing at the Missouri University of Science & Technology in Rolla. “You have to remember, Boeing has 378 suppliers that are manufacturers, in addition to other manufacturing here. The future looks like Missouri is going to thrive, especially now with the F-47. That will really boost industry in the state, manufacturing in the state for at least the next 30 years.”

Boeing has committed a colossal $1.8 billion expansion focused on advanced military aircraft production at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, promising 500 new high-skilled jobs. Nearby, at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, another $200 million Boeing investment targets the cutting-edge MQ-25 unmanned aircraft, adding 250 more positions.

But Boeing doesn’t soar alone. 

Across the state, companies like Kansas City’s LeVic are producing complex aerostructures for both commercial and military aircraft, as well as high-performance components for major aerospace firms. Along with hundreds of smaller suppliers and service providers, these companies create a robust network that supports Missouri’s aerospace ecosystem and tens of thousands of jobs.

That output is both diverse and technologically advanced, turning out military aircraft, aerostructures, propulsion systems, and avionics. Neither is it limited to air traffic; companies in Missouri generate components for satellites and space-exploration vehicles, and their growth reflects the diversification within the aerospace sector.

In addition to traditional aerospace manufacturing, Missouri companies are rolling out unmanned aerial systems, composites and additive manufacturing, products that improve aircraft performance and efficiency, but also create new silos for growth and development across the sector. 

Gulfstream Aerospace, for instance, has injected $28 million into its St. Louis Downtown Airport operations, creating 200 jobs, while West Star Aviation celebrated a $20 million hangar expansion, generating 60-80 new roles. Anchoring this growth is the monumental $2.8 billion terminal expansion at Lambert Airport—a project that goes far beyond passenger convenience. It’s a strategic upgrade boosting cargo capacity and cementing the region as a critical logistics nexus for manufacturers demanding seamless global supply chains.

Beyond Steel & Grit
The Ecosystem Advantage:

Missouri’s leaders, both public-sector and in private enterprise, understand that winning in modern aerospace requires more than just factories. It demands an ecosystem. That’s where alliances like the St. Louis Regional Aerospace and Aviation Task Force play a big role in driving growth. The task force is a unique bi-state collaboration uniting Missouri and Illinois. This isn’t just another committee; it’s the operational nerve center coordinating five major regional airports, industry giants, and workforce developers with laser focus.

The scale is staggering. The St. Louis region already supports more than 17,000 direct aerospace manufacturing jobs—four times the concentration found in comparable metros. Factor in the vast network of suppliers and service providers, and the
total job impact soars past 300,000.

The Talent Crucible:

So where does this workforce come from? Missouri didn’t leave it to chance. The state boasts an educational arsenal specifically tuned to aerospace:

• 35 institutions offer aerospace and defense-related degrees.

• 13 institutions focus on precision production.

• A deep bench of engineering programs: 21 associate, 19 bachelor’s, 10 master’s, and 4 PhD programs.

• Knowledge centers like Missouri S&T (Rolla), Washington University in St. Louis, and the State Technical College of Missouri (Linn) aren’t just classrooms; they’re innovation partners. 

Missouri S&T students, for instance, have literally reached for the stars, testing lunar surface material collection systems in zero-gravity simulations for NASA. This deep integration between academia and industry ensures a steady pipeline of engineers, technicians, and innovators. It’s why more than one in 10 Missouri workers thrive in manufacturing, with aerospace a top-tier employer.

The Site Selector’s Secret Weapon:

For corporate decision-makers and site selectors, Missouri presents an increasingly irresistible package. Beyond the sheer industrial momentum, the state leverages fundamental strengths:

• An AAA Bond Rating & Healthy Tax Climate: Signaling fiscal stability and predictability for long-term capital investments.

• Strategic Central Location & Unrivaled Infrastructure: A nexus of four major interstates and six Class I railroads, amplified by massive upgrades like the multi-billion-dollar expansion of Interstate 70 across nearly the breadth of the state, and $1 billion I-270 improvements in the St. Louis region. This logistics backbone is mission-critical for just-in-time aerospace manufacturing.

• Proactive Incentives & Collaboration: The state’s flexible programs and the task force’s aggressive coordination actively remove friction for expansion.

The Next Frontier:

With an estimated 1,000+ new aerospace jobs materializing in the state and billions more in investments poised to follow, Missouri’s aerospace trajectory is steep and clear. The task force’s relentless focus on aligning training with employer needs and amplifying the region’s capabilities ensures the momentum isn’t fleeting.

Global tailwinds bolster the cause: The International Air Transport Association forecasts airline industry profits rebounding to $36 billion in 2025, while heightened global defense spending fuels demand for Missouri’s military aviation expertise. Emerging frontiers like unmanned systems and advanced materials find fertile ground in the state’s innovative hubs.

While things are good, they can still go up a level, MS&T’s Billo said. 

“The No. 1 problem the Department of Defense is having now—even though it’s spending a lot in development of new technologies that the big manufacturers are adopting—is that suppliers to the big OEMs are slow to adopt that new technology. So public-sector policy as well as incentive programs are still needed to encourage the suppliers to adopt that technology. That would go a long way.”

Missouri’s ascent in aerospace isn’t an accident. It’s the product of decades of manufacturing heritage converging with visionary public-private partnerships, strategic infrastructure bets, and an unmatched commitment to cultivating homegrown talent. 

While coastal hubs grab headlines, Missouri has quietly engineered the most compelling aerospace growth story in America. It’s a masterclass in industrial ecosystem development—proving that the heartland holds the keys to the next generation of flight. For investors and industry leaders looking beyond the usual suspects, Missouri isn’t just an option; it’s rapidly becoming the destination. 

The Show-Me State, indeed.