SALT LAKE CITY — 47G hosted its annual Utah Aerospace & Defense Day on Capitol Hill, bringing together state leaders, industry executives and innovators to showcase the cutting-edge technologies shaping America’s aerospace, defense and national security future. The premier annual event—one of the only of its kind in Utah—offered legislators and the public a first-hand look at the advanced technologies being developed across the state’s rapidly growing aerospace and defense ecosystem.
This year’s event featured nearly 50 interactive exhibits and over 100 aerospace and defense companies across the 47G ecosystem, showcasing innovations ranging from virtual flight experiences, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and 3D printing to delivery drones, robotics, space exploration materials and energy technologies. Exhibitors included global national security leaders such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems; Utah-based innovators including Fortem Technologies, Torus and ElectraFly; and leading academic institutions such as Weber State University.
“Utah’s aerospace and defense ecosystem is helping to define the technologies that will protect our nation, strengthen our economy and power the future,” said Aaron Starks, President and CEO of 47G. “Utah Aerospace & Defense Day on Capitol Hill is about more than showcasing innovation—it’s about creating meaningful dialogue between industry leaders and policymakers to ensure our state remains globally competitive while advancing national security priorities.”
Attendees saw a live demonstration of the Vector Dagger drone, showcasing advanced detection and situational awareness capabilities designed for complex defense and security environments. The Vector Dagger is a 3.5 inch one-way internal clearance quadcopter designed to neutralize threats while reducing risk to friendly operators. Inherently modular, it allows for rapid integration of sensors and payloads to meet any mission requirement.
Founded by warfighters for warfighters, Utah-based Vector delivers combat-ready defense technology designed for real-world conditions. Led by former Army Special Operations commander Andy Yakulis, Vector is a shining example on how Utah’s business-friendly environment enables ideas to rapidly turn proven operational concepts into scalable defense capabilities.
“America requires a resilient, domestic drone industrial base capable of meeting the demands of the modern battlefield and Vector’s Utah factory is delivering just that.” said Vector CEO and Co-Founder, Andy Yakulis. “This great state has created the environment companies like Vector need to manufacture the mission-ready systems—at scale—that our warfighters rely on right here in the US.”
Vector’s story reflects a larger trend across Utah’s aerospace, defense and security sector. Utah has emerged as one of the nation’s leading hubs for aerospace, defense and security innovation. The sector delivers nearly $30 billion in annual employee compensation and generates more than $2.8 billion each year in direct, indirect and induced tax revenue to support public services, infrastructure and education, with nearly half reinvested in public and higher education to strengthen Utah’s workforce pipeline. Supported by 12 major colleges and universities producing a steady stream of STEM talent, and a long-standing aerospace and defense presence that continues to outpace national employment growth, Utah is well positioned to sustain leadership in aerospace, defense and security innovation for decades to come.
“Utah’s aerospace and defense industry is a cornerstone of our state’s economy and a source of opportunity for Utah families. It represents nearly one-fifth of our economy, supports hundreds of thousands of high-quality jobs and brings in about $100 billion to our economy each year,” said Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams. “We have a responsibility to be good stewards of this strength by investing in our people, keeping Utah competitive and building the infrastructure our future depends on. When we do that, we give Utah companies the freedom to innovate, grow and compete worldwide, while creating lasting opportunities for the next generation of Utahns.”
About 47G
47G is building the world’s premier ecosystem for aerospace and defense in Utah. With over 200 members, 47G is the fastest-growing organization of its kind in the country. The organization convenes, promotes and advocates for companies that are developing the next generation of aerospace and defense technologies. Want to learn more? Visit our website at 47G.org, follow us on LinkedIn and X, and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.