The frontline of the future

The state’s strong technology network and world-class education system drive advances in industries with heavy military application including aerospace, cybersecurity, textiles, and more.

North Carolina has 52 colleges and universities

The schools host multiple innovation and educational partnerships with the military including:

• U.S. Special Operations Forces
• National Security Agency (NSA)
• 82nd & XVIIIth Airborne Corps
• Air Force’s innovation element (AFWERX)
• National Security Innovation Network (NSIN)
• Hundreds of federally funded university R&D activities and centers of excellence

North Carolina is home to 7 military installations

1. Ft. Bragg/Liberty
(Largest military base in the USA)

2. Seymour Johnson Air Force Base

3. Marine Air Station Cherry Point

4. Camp Lejeune

5. Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point

6. Navy Fleet Readiness Center-East

7. USCG Aviation Logistics Center

North Carolina also hosts many public-private partnerships

These longstanding partnerships which support the military and defense innovation include:

• North Carolina Department of Commerce Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation (OSTI)
• North Carolina Biotechnology Center
• North Carolina Military Business Center
• North Carolina Defense Technology Transition Office
• Defense Alliance of North Carolina
• First Flight Venture Center

BY THE NUMBERS

31,000+

STEM graduates annually

2.5%

The lowest corporate income tax in the U.S. and decreasing

18,000+

Veterans enter commercial

$7.3B

In DOD contracts awarded in 2024