With a massive budget of $1.8 trillion dollars for the 2023 fiscal year, the U.S. Department of Defense fuels the world’s largest defense industry. This subtantial figure not only supports the production and sale of everything from service revolvers to tactical drones, but it also funds the upkeep and operation of over 400 military installations nationwide. As a result, these military bases contribute significantly to local economies, and in states like Virginia and Hawaii, defense spending accounts for as much as 12% and 10% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) respectively. In 40 states alone, 417 military contractors are solely dedicated to fulfilling the material requirements of the U.S. Army.
To determine the states with the highest number of U.S. Army contractors, 247 Wall St. examined the latest Army Weapon Systems Handbook for 2020-2021. This handbook identified the number of defense contractors operating in each state, focusing on those involved in the production of weapons systems currently in development or actively in use by the U.S. Army. The states are then ranked based on the number of contractors operating in the state. Interestingly, there are ten states that have no contractors operating in them at all.
Because of their close proximity to the nation’s capital, where defense spending decision-making is done, Virginia and Maryland are home to 92 of these Army contractors, including major aerospace and defense corporations like General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin.
Eleven states that are primarily located along the East Coast, have a minimum of 10 Army weapons contractors, but Texas and California lead the pack with 24 and 44 contractors respectively. Maine and Oklahoma specialize in medium caliber ammunition manufacturing, while companies in eight other states are involved in artillery shell production. Contractors in five states are responsible for building Apache helicopters and mortar systems.
Army contracts are not just exclusive to large corporations. In fact, smaller, less familiar companies like TrellisWare in Idaho, Stark Aerospace in Mississippi, and Tennessee’s Accurate Energies produce portable radiation-detection systems, tactical unmanned aerial vehicles, and explosives.
Included among defense contractors are some well-known companies recognized for their consumer products, like Dell, IBM, Daimler Trucks, and General Motors. This list also includes firearms manufacturers, including Sig Sauer in New Hampshire and Remington in New York, both of which manufacture Army service weapons.
These are the states with the most U.S. Army weapons contracts:
40. Idaho
Source: vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 1 (tied)
- Notable contractors: TrellisWare
- Associated weapons systems: Integrated Tactical Network and Man-portable Radiological Detection System
39. Maine
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 1 (tied)
- Notable contractors: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems
- Associated weapons systems: Ammunition — Medium and Large Caliber, Small Arms — Crew Served Weapons, and Next Generation Squad Weapons
38. Mississippi
Source: brooklyn-color / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 1 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Stark
- Associated weapons systems: Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System
37. Oklahoma
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 1 (tied)
- Notable contractors: McAlester Army Ammunition Plant
- Associated weapons systems: Ammunition — Medium Caliber
36. Rhode Island
Source: jjbers / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 1 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Textron
- Associated weapons systems: Next Generation Squad Weapons, Guardrail Common Sensor, Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System
35. Nevada
Source: pom-angers / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 2 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Sierra Nevada Corporation and U.S. Ordnance
- Associated weapons systems: Integrated Tactical Network, Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System, and Small Arms — Crew Served Weapons
34. New Mexico
Source: geewhypics / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 2 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Wildflower International
- Associated weapons systems: Installation Information Infrastructure Modernization Program, Improved Target Acquisition System, and Patriot Advanced Capability
33. Connecticut
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 3 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Danbury Mission Technologies, Goodrich, and Sikorsky
- Associated weapons systems: Aircraft Survivability Equipment, Chinook, Black Hawk Utility Helicopter, Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft, and Future Long Range Assault Aircraft
32. Iowa
Source: dangarneau / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 3 (tied)
- Notable contractors: American Ordnance, Collins Aerospace, and Rockwell Collins
- Associated weapons systems: Artillery Ammunition, Mortar Weapon System, Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System, and Chinook
31. Kansas
Source: pixelpackr / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 3 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Day & Zimmermann, Leading Technology Composites, and Textron Aviation
- Associated weapons systems: Artillery Ammunition, Mortar Weapon System, Soldier Protection System, and Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System
30. Oregon
Source: jbentley09 / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 3 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Daimler Trucks North America, Pacific Star Communications, and Vigor Works
- Associated weapons systems: Line Haul Tractor, Tactical Network Transport, Unified Network Operations, and Army Watercraft Systems
29. Vermont
Source: vigor / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 3 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Galvion and General Dynamics
- Associated weapons systems: Soldier Protection System, Integrated Tactical Network, Mortar Weapons Systems, and Signal Modernization
28. Kentucky
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 4 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass, Conco, Fibrotex USA, and FLIR
- Associated weapons systems: Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives, Hydra Rocket Systems, and Ultra Lightweight Camouflage Net System
27. Minnesota
Source: iainstars / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 4 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Cummins Power Generation, Northrop Grumman Defense Systems, and Orbital Alliant Techsystems
- Associated weapons systems: Tactical Electric Power, Defense Enterprise Wideband SATCOM System, and Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control
26. Tennessee
Source: Kendra Harrell / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 4 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Accurate Energetic, BAE Systems, and Barrett Firearms Manufacturing
- Associated weapons systems: Precision Weapons — Individual Weapons, Lightweight Towed Howitzer, Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, and Joint Battle Command-Platform
25. Arkansas
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 5 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Aerojet Rocketdyne, Lockheed Martin, and Spectra
- Associated weapons systems: Stinger Block I with Proximity Fuze, Javelin Close Combat Missile System, and Artillery Ammunition
24. Missouri
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 5 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Asynchrony Labs, DRS Sustainment Systems, Leonardo DRS, and Northrop Grumman
- Associated weapons systems: Man-portable Radiological Detection System, Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense, and Joint Battle Command-Platform
23. New Hampshire
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 5 (tied)
- Notable contractors: BAE Systems, L3Harris, L3Warrior, Optics 1, and Sig Sauer
- Associated weapons systems: Artillery Ammunition, Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, Transportable Tactical Command Communications, and Enhanced Night Vision Goggle
22. Washington
Source: photographingtravis / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 5 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Berg, Fluke Corp., InBios International, Microsoft, and Oshkosh Defense
- Associated weapons systems: Force Provider Expeditionary, Calibration Sets, Warfighter Protection and Acute Care, and Tactical Network Transport
21. Wisconsin
Source: jgoge123 / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 5 (tied)
- Notable contractors: AMTEC Corp., Case New Holland, Oshkosh, and Vortex Optics
- Associated weapons systems: Artillery Ammunition, High Mobility Engineer Excavator Type I and Type III, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, and Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles
20. Colorado
Source: markuswaa / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 6 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Birdon America, GPS Source, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman
- Associated weapons systems: Military Bridging Systems, Mounted Assured Positioning Navigation and Timing System, and Precision Strike Missile
19. South Carolina
Source: papa-t / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 6 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Critical Solutions International, Fabrique National Manufacturing, Sius Target Systems, and Steven Aerospace and Defense Systems
- Associated weapons systems: Future Army System of Integrated Targets, Small Arms — Crew Served Weapons, and Mine Protection Vehicle Family
18. Utah
Source: pedrosz / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 6 (tied)
- Notable contractors: BioFire Defense, L3 Communications, L3 Harris, and Visionary Products
- Associated weapons systems: Radiological Detection System, Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Medical, and Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System
17. Indiana
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 7
- Notable contractors: AM General, Cummins, Flexible Concepts, and Raytheon
- Associated weapons systems: High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, Mortar Weapon Systems, Improved Target Acquisition System
16. Arizona
Source: deegephotos / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 8 (tied)
- Notable contractors: General Dynamics, Honeywell, L3, and Raytheon
- Associated weapons systems: Hydra Rocket Systems, Military Bridging Systems, Abrams Main Battle Tank, Artillery Ammunition, and Patriot Advanced Capability
15. Georgia
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 8 (tied)
- Notable contractors: 4K Solutions, Gulfstream, Janus Research Group, and JCB
- Associated weapons systems: Integrated Tactical Network, Fixed Wing, Phoenix E-Model Ground Satellite Terminal, and Tactical Network Transport
14. Michigan
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 9 (tied)
- Notable contractors: BAE Systems, Detroit Diesel, General Motors Defense, Globe Tech, & L3Harris
- Associated weapons systems: Artillery Ammunition, Line Haul Tractor, and Infantry Squad Vehicle
13. North Carolina
Source: sergesegal / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 9 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Daimler Trucks North America, Honeywell, Red Hat, and PPD
- Associated weapons systems: Line Haul Tractor, Abrams Main Battle Tank, Lightweight Towed Howitzer, and Distributed Common Ground System
12. Ohio
Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 9 (tied)
- Notable contractors: AlphaMicron, BAE Systems, HDT Global, L3Harris, and TenCate Advanced Armour
- Associated weapons systems: Soldier Protection System, Aircraft Survivability Equipment, Force Provided Expeditionary, and Signal Modernization
11. New Jersey
Source: mariaeklind / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 10
- Notable contractors: Acrow, Booz Allen Hamilton, L3Harris, and Perspecta Labs
- Associated weapons systems: Military Bridging Systems, Command Hardware Systems, Unified Command Suite, and Unified Network Operations
10. Illinois
Source: pom-angers / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 12 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Boeing, Caterpillar, General Dynamics, Motorola, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon
- Associated weapons systems: Apache Attack Helicopter, Avenger Air Defense System, Medium Dozer, Motor Grader, and Unified Command Suite
9. Massachusetts
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 12 (tied)
- Notable contractors: General Dynamics, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and SimSpace
- Associated weapons systems: Black Hawk Utility Helicopter, Apache Attack Helicopter, Patriot Advanced Capability, Precision Strike Missile, and Hellfire Family of Missile
8. New York
Source: erichaake / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 12 (tied)
- Notable contractors: Buffalo Turbine, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Remington Arms Co., and Watervliet Arsenal
- Associated weapons systems: Mine-Protection Vehicle Family, Distributed Cmmon Ground System, Precision Weapons — Individual Weapons, and Guardrail Common Sensor
7. Pennsylvania
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 13
- Notable contractors: Action Manufacturing, Boeing, General Dynamics, Letterkenny Army Depot, and Lifelens
- Associated weapons systems: Force Provider Expeditionary, Warfighter Health Performance and Evacuation, Artillery Ammunition, and Hydra Rocket Systems
6. Texas
Source: prayitnophotography / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 24
- Notable contractors: Airbus Helicopter, Dell, King Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Ultra Electronics
- Associated weapons systems: Lakota — Light Utility Helicopter, Fixed Wing, Distributed Common Ground System, and Air and Missile Defense Planning and Control System
5. Alabama
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 26
- Notable contractors: BAE Systems, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman
- Associated weapons systems: Bradley Fighting Vehicle, Apache Attack Helicopter, and Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense
4. Maryland
Source: zodebala / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 39
- Notable contractors: Booz Allen Hamilton, Cellphire, Lockheed Martin, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, and Sierra Nevada Corporation
- Associated weapons systems: Common Hardware Systems, Unified Command Suite, Warfighter Protection and Acute Care, Apache Attack Helicopter, and Joint Air-to-Ground Missile
3. Florida
Source: pom-angers / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 43
- Notable contractors: Blue Sky, Honeywell, Hoverfly, Longbow, Phoenix Defense, and Raytheon
- Associated weapons systems: Signal Modernization, Abrams Main Battle Tank, Integrated Tactical Network, Apache Attack Helicopter, and Joint Land Component Constructive Training Capability
2. California
Source: pedrosz / Flickr
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 44
- Notable contractors: Cisco Systems, L3, Oracle, Palantir, and Raytheon
- Associated weapons systems: Signal Modernization, Mortar Weapon Systems, Distributed Common Ground System, and Army Vantage
1. Virginia
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- Number of US Army contractors operating in the state: 53
- Notable contractors: Bowhead, Collins Aerospace, Eagle Industries, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon
- Associated weapons systems: Common Hardware Systems, Joint Battle Command-Platform, Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer, and Soldier Protection System
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