CLIMBING HIGHER: 2025 MID-YEAR REVIEW FOR AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING

June 2025

Well friends, we’re halfway through 2025, and the aerospace industry is showing no signs of slowing down. From major leaps in innovation to new players reshaping the skies, the momentum in this space is undeniable. But it hasn’t been all smooth cruising.

Company leaders are still navigating turbulence from global conflicts, sustainability demands and supply chain issues—all amidst a tight labor market. And while much of the spotlight shines on the world’s biggest aerospace cities, regions like Hancock County are proving they can lead the way, too.

Let’s take a look at the biggest developments so far this year and see how Hancock is earning its title as a hub for aerospace opportunity.

Innovations on the Rise in 2025

Despite challenges, new aerospace and aviation technology is still emerging worldwide. Here are five of the biggest trends so far that may play a significant role in what comes next for businesses:

1.  Hypersonic Technology Accelerates

U.S. startups are making strides in hypersonic technology. Based in Houston, Venus Aerospace made headlines in May by successfully testing its rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE)—the first-ever U.S. flight demonstration of this technology. 

Designed for 4-6x the speed of sound, it’s a big leap toward completing transoceanic flights like L.A. to Tokyo in under two hours. This propulsion method promises higher fuel efficiency and faster speeds, with potential applications in military and commercial sectors. By refining this technology, the company will be a step closer to developing their Stargazer M4, a Mach 4 reusable passenger aircraft.

2.  Vertical Takeoff and Lift (VTOL) Integration

When most people hear “VTOL,” they think flying taxis. But the real story behind VTOL technology is much bigger.

For industries that need to move goods and people in hard-to-reach places, VTOL is an attractive solution. It could offer safer, more effective delivery of personnel, tools and materials in difficult environments.

In fact, during HCPHC’s visit to the UAVSI Xponential 2025 conference, many VTOL companies were promoting drones for both military and oil & gas use cases, whether it’s delivering supplies and personnel from base to base or from shore to oil platform. 

To meet these types of needs, companies like Archer Aviation, Joby Aviation and Beta Technologies are testing both cargo and passenger VTOL aircraft options. This signals the viability of a future VTOL ecosystem—not just as an option for passenger transportation, but as a workhorse in logistics, defense and infrastructure.

3.  AR/VR Integration for Aerospace Design

Developing advanced aircraft is complex and often involves massive teams and many moving parts. But with new augmented and virtual reality technologies, that process is becoming more efficient and more collaborative.

Imagine a fully remote team reviewing and editing a digital prototype of an aircraft part, all without leaving their local office. This may sound like a scene out of science fiction, but it’s exactly what startups like Campfire are offering with immersive platforms that let engineers, designers and manufacturers interact with 3D CAD models in real time.

This level of collaboration could help companies reduce costly design errors, stay agile and respond to client demands with greater speed and precision.

4.  Sustainable Aviation Initiatives

Of course, sustainability continues to be a major talking point. Through investments in things like Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), hybrid-electric propulsion systems, and hydrogen-powered aircraft, companies are speeding toward the possibility of carbon-neutral flight to reduce their impact.

Airbus is testing a ZEROe hydrogen combustion aircraft, which would significantly reduce fuel consumption for flights. Meanwhile, other companies are exploring the potential of liquid hydrogen storage systems and hydrogen fuel cell technology, like UK-based ZeroAvia.

Happening Here in Hancock

Major international cities aren’t the only ones generating new opportunities. Here’s how companies in our backyard are carving their own trajectory:

Investments in Solar Power & Autonomy at Skydweller Aero

Investing $15 million and bringing in $40 million in solar-powered drones, Skydweller Aero has opened a flight test and aircraft-modification facility at Stennis International Airport that’s created at least 36 jobs.

Right now, the company is testing its solar-powered, autonomous aircraft within Stennis' restricted airspace, marking the first commercial use of this airspace for uncrewed systems.

Advanced Rocket Development at Relativity Space

Relativity Space has continued the buildout of their new R complex. With a $267 million investment, their team is currently revitalizing the historic A‑2 Test Stand at NASA's Stennis Space Center.

So far, they have completed the construction of a dual bay test stand to support the continued development of their Aeon R engine. This work will also help accommodate testing for the Terran R rocket and help create nearly 630 jobs by 2027.

“Exclusive access to these rare, national-asset facilities through partnership with NASA uniquely enables Relativity to develop a world-class launch vehicle. Together with our significant private capital commitments to reinvigorate these facilities, we are building innovative capabilities to solidify America’s leadership in space.”

– Tim Ellis, Former CEO of Relativity Space (courtesy of Business Wire)

Rocket Lab's Engine Test Facility

Selecting Stennis Space Center for its Archimedes Test Complex, Rocket Lab is preparing to support engine tests for their new Neutron rocket. Utilizing the A-3 Test Stand, the company completed its first successful hot fire of the Archimedes rocket engine last summer, putting it on track to launching its new medium-lift rocket.

The Spaceport Company’s Homeport at Port Bienville

One of the most exciting developments at Port Bienville is the arrival of The Spaceport Company, a pioneering aerospace firm that specializes in sea-based rocket launches. The company has officially established its homeport in Hancock County and is rapidly advancing offshore space launch capabilities from the Gulf of Mexico.

This year, their team successfully debuted an offshore hypersonic test range, launching a medium surface-launched interceptor as part of its NRSD-1 mission. This operation tested the company’s full range of launch services entirely at sea by using its proprietary marine-grade ground support equipment.

At the heart of this new capability is “Once in a Lifetime,” a mobile launchpad vessel that began operations at Port Bienville in May. Built to function in any large body of water, this ship will help enable launch and reentry from the sea, meeting the growing demand for flexible, secure launch infrastructure.

“We look forward to many more launches in the coming years from the Gulf,”

-Tom Marotta, CEO of The Spaceport Company.

Stennis Technology Park Development

We’re continuing to advance Stennis Technology Park through a multi-phase development plan designed to attract and support high-tech and aerospace industries.

Phase 1, currently under construction, includes a $6.8 million facility for JALBTCX (the Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise), a long-time tenant of Stennis International Airport and a national leader in airborne lidar bathymetry. This facility is expected to be complete by late 2025 and will strengthen JALBTCX’s operational capacity and research capabilities.

Phase 2 of the park is already underway and will deliver two pad-ready sites specifically designed to accommodate aerospace manufacturing. This infrastructure will support new tenants looking to tap into the region’s growing innovation ecosystem.

Phase 3, currently in the design stage, is expected to break ground later this year. Once complete, it will add two additional pad-ready sites, further expanding the park’s potential to serve light manufacturing and aerospace firms.

A big driver of the park’s momentum is JALBTCX. Operating the Coastal Zone Mapping and Imaging Lidar (CZMIL) system, their data supports national efforts in coastal resilience, navigation safety and environmental monitoring.

Their presence at Stennis has long been a cornerstone of the region’s technological expertise, and with a new facility in development, JALBTCX is poised to deepen its impact in coastal science and defense applications.

Strategic Growth at Stennis International Airport

With the support of a $3 million grant from the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Strategic Multimodal Investments Fund, our airport is adding a 90,000-square-foot concrete apron along its north side. This isn’t just an infrastructure upgrade—it’s a strategic move that will improve aircraft flow, reduce delays and accommodate a broader range of aircraft, including jets, drones and test vehicles.

We also recently rehabilitated a 13,000-square-foot hangar adjacent to the airport terminal. Funded by a $2.2 million Katrina Community Development Block Grant from the Mississippi Development Authority, this renovated facility provides new opportunities for aviation partners.

Further expansion is also underway on our airport’s Taxilane Sierra, a critical access route for aircraft movement. Phase 1 involves resurfacing the degraded asphalt to improve safety and durability. Then Phase 2 will extend and connect the taxilane to the terminal apron, unlocking new pad-ready sites ideal for future hangar development. This phase is supported by a $1.9 million RESTORE Act grant from the State of Mississippi.

Together, these projects represent a clear trajectory for Stennis International Airport: growing from a regional asset into a fully equipped launchpad for aerospace innovation, testing and commercial opportunity.

Where Challenges Meet Solutions

Of course, the past six months haven’t been without hurdles. But even in the face of setbacks, Hancock County is creating solutions that allow for more production and innovation. Here’s how our aerospace and aviation partners are tackling some of the most pressing challenges in the industry today:

Lack of Specialized Infrastructure

Across the U.S., aerospace companies are hitting a wall because they can’t access the kinds of infrastructure that supports advanced testing and development. Building facilities for propulsion testing or sensitive aerospace R&D isn’t as simple as adding a few labs and a runway. These sites require large buffer zones, specialized safety clearances and highly technical capabilities.

That’s where many regions fall short. But in Hancock County, a different story is unfolding.

At the heart of it is Stennis Space Center, one of the country’s most unique aerospace assets. With a 125,000-acre acoustical buffer zone, world-class test stands, and SCIF-ready facilities for secure work, Stennis provides an environment where innovation isn’t limited by logistics. Whether it’s NASA or private industry, this is where ideas get tested, refined and cleared for launch.

Supply Chain Disruptions

It’s no secret that supply chain issues have been a persistent thorn in the side of aerospace and aviation manufacturers. Even industry giants like Boeing, Ryanair and Airbus have faced delays in getting parts and materials where they need to go, with growth plans impacted by aircraft supply and workforce shortages.

In a sector where timing is everything, even small disruptions can have big consequences down the runway. That’s why logistics infrastructure isn’t just a support system—it’s a competitive advantage.

Hancock County is investing accordingly. Our Port Bienville Industrial Park just wrapped up construction on a new railroad storage yard, which will give a significant boost to rail capacity and streamline how aerospace components and materials move in and out of the region. It’s an intermodal win that helps keep our supply chain flowing, so manufacturers can stay on schedule and in the air.

Workforce Shortages

Talk to anyone in the industry right now, and you’ll hear the same thing: it’s getting harder to find and retain skilled workers. From machinists to technicians, the talent pool is aging, turnover is high, and younger workers aren’t entering the field fast enough to close the gap. It’s a challenge that’s forcing companies to rethink everything from recruitment to training.

In Hancock, we’re investing in people. Just minutes from Stennis International Airport, Pearl River Community College (PRCC) has launched a $21 million Aviation & Aerospace Workforce Academy. Designed from the ground up to meet modern needs, this 38,000-square-foot facility offers training labs, advanced simulation stations, and classrooms to prepare the next generation of aerospace professionals.

Designed to equip students with the skills needed to inspect, service and repair aircraft, PRCC’s Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program prepares graduates for FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training in hangars using FAA-certified aircraft, students develop a foundation in aerodynamics, engines and aircraft systems.

In addition to traditional maintenance training, PRCC is also preparing students for careers in one of the fastest-growing sectors of aviation: unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The UAS Technology program gives students an immersive experience with flight simulators and live flight training alongside instruction in navigation, flight planning, weather and airspace operations. Graduates may even earn their FAA Part 107 Commercial Remote Pilot License, which opens them to work in aerial surveying and infrastructure inspection, logistics and environmental monitoring.

Through these programs, Hancock County is not only strengthening its workforce pipeline but also ensuring local residents have access to meaningful, future-ready careers in the aerospace industry.

International Trade & Partnership Tensions

What happens across borders can be just as impactful as what happens on the factory floor. Recent shifts in trade policy globally are adding layers of uncertainty for manufacturers and operators alike. Several airlines have already flagged these tensions as a source of potential delivery delays and rising costs, complicating everything from production timelines to long-term planning.

For companies trying to scale, these international headwinds can feel unpredictable and, sometimes, unavoidable.

That’s why Hancock County is focused on building resilience at the local level. While global policy isn’t something we can control, we can control how prepared we are. By building up our infrastructure, workforce pipelines and public-private partnerships, we’re doing what we can to ensure aerospace businesses stay agile—even when trade winds shift.

Looking Skyward

Today, it’s clear that aerospace stands at a transformative peak. But despite the uncertainties, Hancock is ready to be a catalyst for what comes next with our specialized infrastructure, workforce development and strategic investments. And as the industry climbs higher, Hancock County is ready to ascend with it.

Ready to Rise with Us? Start the Conversation.

Contact Obie McClure, OMcClure@hcphc.ms, to start your conversation today.