SR 685: Georgia Aerospace and Defense Day; recognize February 3, 2026

Senate Resolution 685

By: Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Albers of the 56th, Watson of the 1st, Anavitarte of the 31st, Walker III of the 20th and others

A RESOLUTION

Honoring the work of Georgia's aerospace and defense industry and recognizing February 3, 2026, as Georgia Aerospace and Defense Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Georgia is home to a robust aerospace and defense industry, encompassing more than 800 companies, including an estimated 320 aerospace manufacturing firms, more than 120 MRO facilities, and over 70 airline and charter operations employing more than 200,000 Georgians; and

WHEREAS, aerospace and defense industry products are Georgia's top export product category and the state's second largest manufacturing industry, generating an estimated annual economic impact of $57.5 billion; and

WHEREAS, aerospace and defense industry products have remained the State of Georgia's number one international export since 2004, with 2024 aerospace and defense exports totaling $12.6 billion, including civilian aircraft and parts, turbojets, turbo propellers, aircraft launching gear, parachutes, and nonpowered aircraft; and

WHEREAS, in 2024, Georgia's top ten international markets for aerospace industry exports included Canada, Chile, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, U.A.E., and the United Kingdom; and

WHEREAS, this state has a proud history as both a manufacturer and host of advanced military aircraft and equipment, and seven of the world's top ten defense contractors maintain a presence within the state of Georgia, serving as top employers for newly retired veterans; and

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia received more than $15.3 billion in Department of War funding in Fiscal Year 2023, representing the economic impact of personnel salaries, defense contracts, and facility construction; and

WHEREAS, the Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance (GADA) serves as the unified voice for Georgia's aerospace, aviation, and defense ecosystem, bringing together industry leaders, higher education institutions, and government partners to advocate for workforce development, innovation, and long-term competitiveness, and was founded by Gulfstream Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, FlightSafety International, Rolls-Royce, and RTX; and

WHEREAS, Georgia's higher education institutions are dedicated to delivering top-tier talent for the aerospace and defense mission through the aerospace career pipeline; and

WHEREAS, the Georgia Institute of Technology is home to the number one public aerospace engineering program in the United States, according to U.S. News and World Report, and the Georgia Tech Research Institute executes nearly $1 billion of sponsored research for national security and keeping our nation safe; and

WHEREAS, Mercer University, through its School of Engineering and the Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC), a research institute of Mercer University, has been an integral partner to the Robins Air Force Base community since 1987, advancing applied research, engineering innovation, and workforce development, with nearly 90 percent of its School of Engineering graduates remaining in this state; and

WHEREAS, Georgia Southern University's Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing is advancing aerospace innovation through cutting-edge research in sustainable fuels, aircraft power systems, and advanced manufacturing, while equipping students with the skills and expertise needed to support Georgia's aerospace industry; and

WHEREAS, the flagship and land grant institution of this state, the University of Georgia's College of Engineering is dedicated to supporting the state's thriving and expanding aerospace industry through education, workforce development, collaborative and innovative research, and by providing support to those investing in our great state; and

WHEREAS, Kennesaw State University (KSU) is meeting the growing demand for aerospace talent by launching its Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering degree program, building on the success of its highly enrolled minor, offering hands-on research opportunities, industry collaboration, and experiential learning designed to prepare graduates for careers in aeronautics and astronautics; and

WHEREAS, with 68 percent of KSU engineering graduates remaining in Georgia five years after graduation, the university's aerospace engineering program will strengthen the state's workforce while advancing innovation in one of Georgia's most critical industries; and

WHEREAS, Lockheed Martin is celebrating its seventy-fifth anniversary of continuous operations in Marietta, Georgia, in 2026, and builds two iconic military programs, the C-130J Super Hercules and the F-35 Lightning II, in its Georgia facilities, supporting direct and indirect jobs for more than 20,000 Georgians; and

WHEREAS, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation has operated continuously at its worldwide headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, since 1967, designing, manufacturing, and supporting the world's most technologically advanced business aircraft, now employs more than 13,000 in this state, has a Georgia payroll of over $1.4 billion and is the largest manufacturer in the state; and

WHEREAS, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the world's busiest and most efficient passenger airport and Georgia is home to the largest single container terminal and most extensive rail and interstate system in the Southeast, providing a seamless air, sea, and ground transportation network; and

WHEREAS, Georgia's aerospace and defense industry continues to grow thanks to the state's positive business climate and bipartisan support at the local, state, and federal levels of government.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body honor the work of Georgia's aerospace and defense industry and recognize February 3, 2026, as Georgia Aerospace and Defense Day at the state capitol.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to representatives of the aerospace and defense industry, higher education officials, and other representatives as deemed necessary.