Aerospace

Tucson’s clear blue skies and dry climate have been attracting aerospace related attention since the early 1900s. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base was founded in 1925 and expanded significantly after WWII. Hughes Aircraft arrived in Tucson in 1951, helping to spur post-war development. Hughes in now called Raytheon Missile Systems.

Click here for a map of aerospace employers in Southern Arizona.

Major Employers

• Raytheon Missile Systems (12,515 employees—Tucson’s largest employer)
• Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (7,701)
• Honeywell Aerospace (760)
• Bombardier Aerospace (581)
• Northrop Grumman (550-in Sierra Vista)
• Universal Avionics Systems (450)
• Evergreen Air Center (400)  
• Sargent Controls & Aerospace (261) 

(source: Star 200 2008)

Education

• The University of Arizona offers an outstanding engineering program, including aerospace, leading to bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees (756 graduates in 2004-2005)
• Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University offers several degrees at its Davis-Monthan AFB Campus (2,000 plus students in 2005)
• Pima Community College offers several aviation technology degrees and certificates, including Aircraft Airframe and Powerplant courses, along with a customized training program that can fit any employer’s requirements.

 Other Facts

• Tucson’s Mayor, Bob Walkup, is a former Hughes Aircraft Executive
• Tucson has over 300 days of VFR weather conditions
• The Pima Air & Space Museum, founded in 1967, and the Titan Missile Museum are internationally known museums that embody Tucson’s long relationship with the aerospace industry.