This article is based on an official press release from The Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

Oklahoma ACES Program Secures Over $322 Million in New Investments

On December 2, 2025, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce announced a significant milestone for the state’s aerospace and defense sector. Through its Aerospace Commerce Economic Services (ACES) program, the state has generated over $322 million in new capital investment and created more than 610 new jobs over the past year. These figures underscore Oklahoma’s aggressive strategy to transition from a maintenance hub to a leader in advanced manufacturing and commercial spaceflight.

According to the official announcement, the bulk of this growth stems from a major foreign direct investment by CBC Global Ammunition, alongside strategic expansions by Firehawk Aerospace, Kratos Defense, and Dawn Aerospace. The ACES program, which coordinates statewide delegations for national and international trade shows, reportedly facilitated these deals by helping 39 Oklahoma companies secure new contracts or expand operations.

The ACES Strategy: “Hunting as a Pack”

Established in 2018, the ACES program operates as a partnership between the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics. The program’s primary strategy, described by state officials as “hunting as a pack,” involves unifying state officials, private enterprises, and universities to present a cohesive front at global industry events.

Leshia Pearson, Director of Aerospace & Defense at the Department of Commerce, highlighted the efficacy of this unified approach in the press release:

“This year’s results are a direct testament to the power of a unified, strategic approach to economic development. Our ACES program not only provided a vital gateway for 39 Oklahoma companies to secure new contracts… but it also directly led to major wins like the $300 million foreign direct investment from CBC Global Ammunition.”

Major Investment Projects Breakdown

The $322 million investment total is driven by four primary projects that span the aerospace and defense supply chain, from ammunition manufacturing to next-generation propulsion.

CBC Global Ammunition

The largest portion of the announced investment comes from CBC Global Ammunition. The company is deploying $300 million to construct a vertically integrated manufacturing plant at the MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor, Oklahoma. This facility is expected to create 350 jobs and will produce small-caliber ammunition ranging from 9mm to 12.7mm.

Fabio Mazzaro, President of CBC Global Ammunition, stated in the release:

“This facility will be a cornerstone for our future growth in the world’s most important market for small caliber ammunition… We envisage to build an industry-leading and fully vertically integrated company.”

The facility aims to produce all components in-house, including primers and propellant, to serve U.S. military and law enforcement markets.

Firehawk Aerospace

In the defense propulsion sector, Firehawk Aerospace is investing $22 million to build a 40,000-square-foot facility in Lawton/Fort Sill. This project is set to create 100 jobs and focuses on manufacturing hybrid rocket motors. The site will utilize 3D-printing technology for solid rocket fuel, a critical component for next-generation defense missiles.

Kratos Defense

Kratos Defense is expanding its footprint in Bristow with a new 50,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility. While the specific dollar amount for this expansion remains undisclosed in the public release, the project is expected to generate between 60 and 100 jobs. The facility will produce the GEK (GE Aerospace-Kratos) family of turbojet engines, with plans to eventually ramp up production to 500 engines annually.

Dawn Aerospace

Signaling growth in the commercial space sector, Dawn Aerospace has established a partnership to base its U.S. operations at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port in Burns Flat. The company plans to use the location for its Mk-II Aurora spaceplane, a reusable suborbital vehicle designed for microgravity research and earth observation.

AirPro News Analysis

The data released by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce suggests a strategic pivot in the state’s aerospace identity. Historically known as a global center for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), anchored by Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma appears to be successfully diversifying into active manufacturing and high-tech development.

We observe three key trends in this announcement:

• Vertical Integration: The CBC Global project reduces reliance on external supply chains for critical ammunition components like nitrocellulose.
• Next-Gen Defense: Investments by Firehawk and Kratos indicate a shift toward hypersonics, drones, and advanced propulsion systems rather than legacy airframe maintenance.
• Commercial Space Utility: The Burns Flat spaceport (one of only 14 FAA-licensed spaceports in the U.S.) for active flight operations, moving beyond testing into operational commercial spaceflight.

With the aerospace and defense sector already generating approximately $44 billion in annual economic activity for the state, these high-tech expansions are likely to increase the industry’s contribution to Oklahoma’s GDP, solidifying its status as the state’s second-largest industry behind energy.

Sources

• Oklahoma Department of Commerce