Governor Wes Moore announced Monday that Platform Aerospace is significantly expanding its operations in St. Mary’s County, leasing approximately 80,000 square feet of space on Oak View Drive in California to support growth in engineering, design, and production capacity. The move is projected to create hundreds of new jobs over the next three years in a region already recognized as a national hub for aerospace and unmanned systems.
The expansion builds on Platform Aerospace’s existing presence in Hollywood at 43960 Airport View Drive, where the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) employs more than 200 full-time workers. The company will retain its current facility while adding the new space at the Lexington Exchange complex, according to details shared in the announcement and prior county discussions.
Platform Aerospace specializes in the MQ-22 Swift (Vanilla) Ultra-Long Endurance Group 3 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The Vanilla UAS holds world records for endurance, with demonstrated flights exceeding eight days unrefueled, covering distances up to 15,000 nautical miles while carrying payloads of up to 150 pounds. Its modular design supports diverse missions including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), communications relay, signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic warfare, and kinetic effects for defense, commercial, and research applications.
“As our administration makes big bets on lighthouse industries and invests in Maryland businesses, companies can continue to build up their operations,” Moore said in the announcement. “We’re thrilled that our friends at Platform Aerospace continue to choose our state to expand and thrive. We are positioning Maryland to lead the nation and drive innovation, creating new pathways to work, wages, and wealth for all Marylanders.”
The announcement aligns with broader state and local efforts to strengthen Southern Maryland’s aerospace ecosystem. St. Mary’s County boasts more aerospace engineers per capita than anywhere else in the country and is home to Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NAS Pax River), a key center for naval aviation research, testing, and evaluation. Recent infrastructure investments, including the completion of a runway extension at St. Mary’s County Regional Airport earlier this year with state support, further enhance the region’s appeal for aviation-related businesses.
Platform Aerospace Chief Growth Officer Jim Snow emphasized the company’s focus on meeting Department of Defense demands. “With this expansion, we are independently leaning forward to support the Department of Defense’s rapid acquisition requirements,” Snow stated. The company has secured multiple contracts for the Vanilla UAS, including recent Navy awards totaling millions for systems, support, and training.
To support the project, the St. Mary’s County Commissioners are providing up to $100,000 over ten years through the county’s New and Expanding Business Tax Credit. This includes a $10,000 annual property tax credit and a 50 percent reduction in county property taxes on the new construction for a decade. The Maryland Department of Commerce is also exploring additional incentives such as Advantage Maryland and the state’s Job Creation Tax Credit.
Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr., highlighted the company’s role in the state’s defense and manufacturing sectors. St. Mary’s County Commissioner President Randy Guy and Economic Development Director Cindy Greb both praised the collaboration, noting the expansion’s potential to reinforce the county’s position in aviation and unmanned systems innovation.
The growth comes at a time when St. Mary’s County continues to leverage its proximity to NAS Pax River and the emerging AeroPark Innovation District. The district aims to cluster private industry, education, and research to foster job creation and technological advancement. Platform Aerospace’s presence contributes to a robust local aerospace workforce that already includes major players like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and numerous engineering firms.
Company representatives have indicated ongoing discussions for potential additional space, signaling confidence in sustained demand for their ultra-endurance UAS capabilities. As a 30-plus-year-old aviation engineering and manufacturing firm with operations in Maryland, Virginia, and the UK, Platform Aerospace continues to position itself as a key innovator in Group 3 UAS technologies.
This expansion represents another step in Governor Moore’s strategy to grow Maryland’s lighthouse industries, including aerospace and defense, which are seen as critical drivers of economic opportunity, particularly in rural and Southern Maryland communities. Local leaders expect the new jobs to offer competitive wages and contribute to the region’s long-term economic vitality.
