The Dallas area has become a vital node in the United States defense ecosystem, thanks to its mix of high-tech infrastructure, skilled workforce and proximity to major air and land transportation routes. The city is home to a network of established contractors, emerging defense tech startups and key aerospace players, many of which have deep ties to federal agencies like the Department of Defense and NASA.
Regional support initiatives like the Texas Defense Aerospace Manufacturing Community and partnerships with research institutions such as UT Dallas have helped fuel innovation in defense-focused fields including avionics, cybersecurity and systems integration. As the U.S. continues to invest in defense modernization, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has emerged as a key location for technological advancement and talent development in support of national security priorities.
Defense Companies in Dallas
- Lockheed Martin
- RTX
- Bell
- L3Harris Technologies
- BAE Systems, Inc.
- Elbit Systems of America
- Jacobs
- Shield AI
Top Defense Companies in Dallas
Bell is a U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer with its global headquarters in Fort Worth, near Dallas. The company designs and manufactures vertical lift aircraft for military use, including the V-22 Osprey and H-1 helicopter series. Bell’s facilities have supported engineering and prototyping for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps aviation programs.
Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, REPKON USA is known for advanced metal formation, manufacturing and chemical energetics production. The company operates facilities in Florida and Texas. In March 2025, it announced the acquisition of the General Dynamics – Ordnance and Tactical Systems Garland Operations facility north of Dallas, which manufactures metal parts for defense and aerospace applications.
BAE Systems, Inc, an aerospace, defense and cybersecurity company, operates a facility in Dallas. BAE Systems specializes in developing a wide range of advanced technology including from autonomous systems and cyber intelligence solutions to combat vehicles and avionics.
RTX, formerly Raytheon Technologies, is a multinational aerospace and defense company. It maintains a campus in Richardson, where it employs over 6,000 people. The facility works with electro-optics, radar technology and high-energy lasers while also contributing to aerospace R&D.
Shield AI operates a 107,000-square-foot facility in Frisco. The site, which it calls “The Batcave,” combines engineering, production and testing of AI-enabled autonomous aircraft systems like the V-BAT drone. The defense technology company says it serves customers through advanced software-defined aviation technologies, like its Hivemind Enterprise, an “AI-powered, modular autonomy software platform.”
Astrapi Corporation is based in Dallas, where it develops spiral-based signal modulation technology to enhance spectral efficiency in communications. The company works with defense partners to improve performance in congested radio frequency environments, particularly for satellite and tactical communications.
Jacobs is headquartered in Dallas and provides engineering, infrastructure and cybersecurity services to defense and intelligence clients. The company has contracted with the U.S. Department of Defense and says it aims to support national security infrastructure and digital modernization projects from its Texas offices.
L3Harris Technologies operates a facility in Greenville, about 50 miles northeast of Dallas. The company specializes in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or ISR, solutions, including aircraft modifications and integration of advanced sensor systems. L3Harris hires for a wide range of technical roles including software engineers, systems engineers and information security systems engineers.
With its U.S. headquarters in Fort Worth, Elbit Systems of America says it employs over 3,300 people across the U.S.The company develops avionics, surveillance and precision-targeting systems tailored to U.S. military specifications. Elbit Systems also manufactures and integrates technologies for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft as well as ground-based defense platforms.
Lockheed Martin operates its 300-acre Missiles and Fire Control headquarters in Grand Prairie, a suburb of Dallas. Lockheed Martin’s MFC division works toward developing and producing advanced missile systems, fire control solutions and precision engagement technologies. According to the company, employees at the Grand Prairie facility specialize in using rocket and missile technology and advanced materials.
