Aerospace

The aerospace, aviation and defense community will gather on Wednesday, Nov. 5 for the annual Oklahoma Aerospace Forum at the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel. The event, sponsored by Oklahoma ACES, is the state’s premier platform for professionals to explore challenges and innovations in aviation, defense and MRO. In past years, the forum has featured discussions on workforce development, emerging technologies and Oklahoma’s growing role in national aerospace initiatives.

The schedule and keynote for the forum will be announced this summer. Early registration is open; those who register by June 1 receive 10% off.

For sponsorship information and registration, visit Eventbrite.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

As part of a team led by Northrop Grumman that was awarded a $3.5 million contract to develop the next generation of “doomsday” planes for the U.S. Navy, Oklahoma City-based Long Wave, Inc. hopes to hire a hundred employees by the end of 2025.

The plane will ensure U.S. leadership can always communicate with nuclear forces to order or cancel strikes. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell stated the aerospace and defense industry is in the center of the state’s strategy to diversify and it furthers our economy and workforce when an Oklahoma company grows from a few employees to hundreds.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Maj. Gen. Steve “Bucky” Butow, USAF, will deliver the keynote address at the 2024 Oklahoma Aerospace Forum on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Attendees will gain firsthand insights from Maj. Gen. Butow, a leader in national defense innovation, who will share strategies to drive industry-wide growth. As Military Deputy of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and Commander of the California Air National Guard, Butow leads 4,900 Airmen and Airwomen in air, space and cyber operations.

The forum will address Oklahoma’s defense ecosystem; the state’s 80-year history of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul; emerging aerospace technologies and industry trends.

Register now at Oklahoma Aerospace Forum.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100