Aerospace, Space and Defense

A Defense-Ready Ecosystem
An ecosystem that offers comprehensive manufacturing, MRO, and servicing ecosystem supporting aircraft, spacecraft, and military systems across the full lifecycle. There is an established supply chain shaped by commercial and military aviation activity with access to specialised experts across engineering, avionics, fabrication, machining and sensor technologies.

Nationally Strategic Military Assets
Corpus Christi is home to the U.S. Department of Defense Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence (CITE) for rotary-wing aircraft, one of the most advanced helicopter MRO hubs in the nation. This offers direct pathways for federal contracting, R&D collaboration, and mission-critical support services, including worldclass UAS testing and research infrastructure like the Autonomy Research Institute at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi - one of just 7 FAA-designated UAS test sites in the United States. Corpus Christi is also home to 2 military bases - the Naval Air Station Kingsville and Corpus Christi Army Depot.

Skilled Industry-relevant Workforce at Scale
With over 3,100 direct aerospace, aviation, and defense roles, supported by another 5,400 workers with adjacent technical skills, Corpus Christi has strong talent pipelines through regional universities, technical colleges, and military-to-civilian transition programs.

Presence of Aviation-Ready Real Estate
Available hangars and development sites at Corpus Christi International Airport, supporting MRO, final assembly, component manufacturing, and testing operations including airside access, large-footprint parcels, and scalable utilities designed for aerospace requirements.