Research and development activity related to aerospace has been underway for decades in the state, and in the most recent decade for unmanned systems.
Oklahoma’s legacy of aviation leadership includes aviation pioneers like Clyde Cessna and Wiley Post, and it was leadership from Oklahoma U.S. Senator Mike Monroney that led to the creation of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the 1950's.
Today, Oklahoma is home to the FAA’s Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, one of the largest FAA organizations and sites outside of Washington D.C. The state is also home to Tinker Air Force Base and the Sustainment Headquarters of the United States Air Force. The State is also home to many large and small aviation, aerospace, and cyber-related companies.
Aviation is now – and has always been – an important part of the Oklahoma economy. Leveraging this with Oklahoma’s leadership in weather and atmospheric research at the National Weather Center in Norman, OK provides much-needed weather information and data to enable research and public safety to support this technology/industry area.
The State of Oklahoma has research and development strengths, and most importantly – the vision and leadership to emerge as a leading region for growth in the autonomous systems and aerospace industry.