In a collaborative effort, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Amazon Project Kuiper, alongside the Aerospace Defense Alliance of California (ADAC) and the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA), hosted the second annual California Aerospace Day. This event underscored the vital role of the aerospace industry in bolstering California’s economy. Held at the Aerospace Museum of California, the gathering drew over 200 attendees, including key industry leaders and state legislators, to celebrate and discuss the state’s aerospace sector.
Keynote speaker NASA Astronaut Michael S. Hopkins highlighted the event, which showcased California’s continued leadership in space exploration and aerospace innovation. Lance Hastings, CMTA’s CEO & President, emphasized the industry’s contribution to creating high-skilled, high-paying jobs that significantly impact the state’s economy. California’s aerospace sector supports over 511,000 jobs, generates $100 billion in annual economic activity, and contributes $7 billion in state and local taxes, as detailed in a recent PwC report.
Mark Taylor, ADAC Chair and Director of Government Operations for Boeing in California, praised the aerospace industry for its role in sustaining a highly skilled workforce and fostering technological advancements. The event featured panel discussions on critical topics such as STEM workforce development, climate change, sustainability, and innovation, highlighting the sector’s broad influence on various economic and societal aspects.
John Clark, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®, noted the company’s commitment to innovation and inspiring future generations of engineers and scientists. Beth Cooley of Amazon Project Kuiper spoke about their mission to enhance global connectivity and the significant impact of their partnership with ADAC on the aerospace industry in California.
The day’s activities included tours of industry exhibits such as Lockheed Martin’s F35 simulator, Stratolaunch’s Roc carrier plane model, Northrop Grumman’s B2 Bomber model, and more, illustrating the diverse technological achievements of the aerospace industry. The event, organized by ADAC, which was formed in 2021, highlighted the integral role of the aerospace supply chain, consisting of numerous small and minority-owned businesses across California’s 58 counties.
California Aerospace Day successfully showcased the aerospace industry’s substantial contributions to the state’s economy, its role in fostering innovation, and its commitment to developing the next generation of aerospace professionals.