U.S. Aircraft, Part Manufacturing Bring Billions in Spending

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The U.S. aircraft sector encompasses both defense and commercial aircraft and means big business throughout the country, where billions of dollars' worth of related projects are planned or underway. Industrial Info is tracking more than $17 billion worth of capital-spending projects related to the manufacturing of aircraft and aircraft parts in the U.S., including those from The Boeing Company (Arlington, Virginia) as well as other players.

Boeing accounts for eight capital projects worth more than $3 billion across the U.S., with about two-thirds of the spend attributed to three expansion projects at its campus in Berkeley, Missouri (Greater St. Louis).

Home to manufacturing defense aircraft, the site has two different sections. Buildings on a parcel of land south of the existing facility are being demolished to make way for a new 880,000-square-foot manufacturing plant. On a parcel of land to the northwest, Boeing is constructing a new hangar, radar-testing facility and 90,000 square feet of auxiliary buildings. Construction is expected to wrap up in mid-2026. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Industrial Manufacturing Project Database can learn more by viewing the related project reports.

Another $1 billion worth of investment is attributed to an expansion of Boeing's North Charleston Aircraft Parts plant in South Carolina. The project entails expanding/upgrading infrastructure and production processes for its Dreamliner passenger airliner as well as constructing a related storage, servicing and testing facility. Construction is expected to kick off in July, with operations expected to begin in early 2027. Subscribers can click here to read the project report.

Another major player in the aerospace industry and one that supplies components to Boeing is GE Aerospace (Boston, Massachusetts), who leads all companies with 15 capital projects (worth $445 million). Earlier this year, the company pledged to invest nearly $1 billion in its U.S. manufacturing plants and supply chain in 2025. For more information on this and the company's project activity, see March 21, 2025, article - GE Aerospace to Invest Nearly $1 Billion in U.S. Manufacturing, Supply Chain.

Bell Textron is preparing to begin facility modifications and equipment installations for a $632 million renovation of a facility in Fort Worth, Texas, to produce components for the U.S. Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). The company, a subsidiary of Textron Incorporated (Providence, Rhode Island), expects to "achieve facility readiness for low-rate initial production" by 2028. Subscribers can learn more from a detailed project report.

While Boeing and GE are well known in the aerospace sector, startup JetZero (Long Beach, California) recently announced a niche project that accounts for the highest investment value out of all U.S. capital aircraft-related projects and about 27% of the total spend. The company aims to develop fuel-efficient, sustainable aircraft for commercial, freight and military applications.

Earlier this month, the company said it selected Greensboro, North Carolina, as the site for a proposed $4.7 billion manufacturing plant designed to produce a line of blended wing body (BWB) aircraft. BWB aircraft have an aerodynamically shaped body, allowing for reduced drag, increased lift and lightweight construction, and JetZero's projects its models will reduce fuel burn by 50% compared with traditional aircraft. They initially will be compatible with conventional and sustainable aviation fuel.

The company has received more than $300 million in funding to date, including a $235 million contract with the U.S. Air Force to support the development of a full-scale test aircraft at the plant, with first flight expected by 2027, according to the company. JetZero also has received an undisclosed private investment from United Airlines (Chicago, Illinois).

Subscribers can click here for the related project report.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Project Database can click here for a full list of detailed reports for projects mentioned in this article, and click here for a full list of related plant profiles.

Click here for a full list of capital projects for the manufacturing of aircraft and related parts in the U.S.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).