Aerospace Week 2025: Central Florida’s Hidden Engine – Aerospace Power In Our Regional Economy

When ITI Engineering was founded in Winter Springs, Florida, the region’s aerospace and defense landscape looked very different than it does today. What began as a small focused, enterprise delivering avionics and support solutions for military applications has grown alongside the incredible expansion of Florida’s defense economy. Today, ITI is proud to be a trusted partner to various branches of the U.S. Department of Defense and major defense contractors, delivering innovative ground support and test systems that are helping modernize national defense infrastructure.
While many people associate Central Florida’s economy with tourism and real estate, the defense sector tells a compelling, and often underappreciated, story. In 2022 alone, defense-related activity contributed approximately $102.6 billion to Florida’s economy and supported more than 865,000 jobs, according to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs[1]. The aerospace and defense industry alone accounts for nearly $19 billion in state GDP — roughly 1.2% of Florida’s total economic output[2]. These figures place Florida consistently among the top five states nationally for defense contracting[3], with thousands of businesses forming a robust supply chain from the Panhandle to the Florida Keys.
ITI Engineering is proud to be one of those contributors. For over two decades, we’ve provided mission-critical capabilities to support the warfighter. Our work, though often behind the scenes, directly impacts mission readiness across multiple commands and platforms. That includes delivering rugged servers and aircraft memory systems that ensure today’s forces remain fully prepared for tomorrow’s challenges. We’ve steadily expanded capabilities and our footprint, serving as an agile, responsive partner to some of the most recognized names in defense including Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, Boeing, and GE Aerospace, many of which maintain a strong presence in the Central Florida region.
Florida’s defense and aerospace sector is a hidden economic engine. Central Florida is firmly established as a strategic node in the national security landscape. The Orlando metropolitan area is home to the Central Florida Research Park, where more than 125 defense-focused companies operate alongside academic and military institutions. Adjacent to the University of Central Florida, the park supports over 10,000 defense and aerospace jobs.[4]
What distinguishes ITI is not just our technical expertise, but the ability to respond quickly and effectively to changing mission requirements. As a smaller business, we’ve maintained the agility that comes from a smaller enterprise, without sacrificing our ability to produce high-tech quality products found in larger corporations. Whether supporting avionics test infrastructure or developing new space-based solutions, the company delivers critical systems that meet the highest standards of quality and performance.
Aerospace Week is an opportunity to recognize the “sound of freedom” from jet engines and the launch of rockets from the Cape alongside the quiet, powerful network of businesses, engineers, and innovators who support national defense every day.  We are proud to call Central Florida home, and even prouder to contribute to the continued strength, safety, and technological advancement of America. From Winter Springs to the front lines, the work of defense and aerospace professionals in Central Florida is a testament to how focused engineering and deep local roots can help shape a stronger, more secure future for the community at large.