Military & Defense

The Charleston region is home to South Carolina’s largest concentration of military-related economic activity, bringing together military operations, federal research, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, logistics, and engineering expertise within a highly collaborative ecosystem. Companies locating here benefit from direct access to military customers, mission-driven innovation, and a network of public and private partners working to advance national security.

Charleston’s strategic advantage begins with its concentration of military and federal assets. Joint Base Lindsey Graham supports airlift, sealift, and global logistics operations, while NIWC Atlantic serves as the U.S. Navy’s premier center for information warfare, command and control, cybersecurity, and systems integration. Together with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District, and Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, these organizations create an environment where government, industry, and academia work together to solve complex defense challenges.

Beyond its military presence, the Charleston region offers the infrastructure and business environment defense companies need to succeed. A highly skilled workforce, robust transportation network, deepwater port, international airport, research institutions, and workforce development programs provide companies with the resources to innovate, manufacture, recruit talent, and grow. From emerging technology firms to established defense contractors, organizations across the region are helping shape the future of national security.

The Charleston region is home to one of the nation’s most concentrated networks of military installations, federal agencies, and research organizations. Together, these assets provide operational expertise, advanced research, engineering capabilities, workforce development, and mission-critical support that strengthen the region’s defense industry and create opportunities for collaboration between government, industry, and academia.

• Joint Base Lindsey Graham – Supports global mobility, logistics, airlift, sealift, and expeditionary operations. Home to the Air Base and Naval Weapons Station, it enables mission readiness for more than 132,000 military personnel, civilians, families, and retirees. The base maintains $7.5 billion in base property and capital assets spanning three seaports, two civilian-military airfields, 39 miles of rail and 22 miles of coastline totaling almost 24,000 acres.
• Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic – The U.S. Navy’s premier center for information warfare, NIWC Atlantic develops advanced command, control, communications, cybersecurity, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C5ISR) technologies. Its engineers, scientists, and researchers collaborate with industry to deliver mission-critical solutions for the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense. 
• U.S. Coast Guard – Charleston serves as a major operational and logistics hub for the U.S. Coast Guard, supporting maritime security, homeland defense, search and rescue, and mission support. The region is home to Coast Guard Base Charleston and key engineering, maintenance, and logistics capabilities.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – The Charleston District delivers engineering expertise that supports military readiness, navigation, infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and civil works projects throughout South Carolina. Its work strengthens both national defense and regional economic competitiveness.
• Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) – FLETC Charleston provides specialized training for federal, state, local, tribal, and international law enforcement professionals. The campus is nationally recognized for its expertise in maritime law enforcement, explosives, driver training, and other mission-critical programs that enhance public safety and national security.

Together, these organizations create a collaborative environment where military leaders, researchers, engineers, and private industry work side by side to develop, test, and deploy technologies that support the nation’s most critical missions. This unique concentration of assets positions the Charleston region as a strategic location for defense companies seeking access to military customers, technical expertise, and long-term growth opportunities.

The Charleston region is home to a diverse network of defense contractors, advanced manufacturers, technology firms, engineering companies, and maritime businesses that support every branch of the U.S. military. From global defense leaders to specialized small businesses, these companies develop mission-critical technologies, manufacture advanced systems, provide engineering expertise, and deliver logistics and sustainment services that strengthen national security.

• Boeing – Manufactures the 787 Dreamliner while supporting military aircraft programs, autonomous systems, and advanced aerospace technologies.
• Leonardo DRS – Operates a state-of-the-art, 140,000-square-foot facility dedicated to the manufacturing, integration, and testing of advanced naval power and propulsion systems. This strategic site expands domestic production capacity to support critical U.S. Navy shipbuilding programs, including key electric power architectures for Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines. 
• SAIC – Supports Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic from sites in Charleston, North Charleston and Hanahan, focused on modernization, integration and training across multiple domains. 
• Scientific Research Corporation (SRC) – Delivers C5ISR, cybersecurity, electronic warfare, and systems engineering solutions supporting the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense.
• HII Newport News Shipbuilding – Supports the U.S. Navy through shipbuilding, fleet sustainment, and engineering services, with a growing presence in the Charleston region. Specifically, its local operations focus on the construction of nuclear-powered submarine modules and aircraft carrier units for U.S. Navy programs 
• Elbit Systems of America – Operates a 135,000-square-foot Ground Combat Vehicle Assembly and Integration Center of Excellence. The site builds SIGMA mobile howitzers and mission command platforms for the U.S. Army’s Command Post Integrated Infrastructure program, and supports assembly and integration for current and future DoW and DHS programs. 

Together, these companies represent a collaborative defense industry supported by military installations, federal research organizations, higher education institutions, and a highly skilled workforce. Whether developing next-generation technologies, supporting maritime operations, or delivering mission-critical engineering services, Charleston’s defense companies play a vital role in advancing national security.

The Charleston region offers defense companies access to a highly skilled workforce shaped by military service, engineering expertise, advanced manufacturing, and specialized technical education. Home to Joint Base Lindsey Graham and one of the nation’s largest concentrations of defense-related employment, the region benefits from a steady pipeline of transitioning service members, experienced veterans, and civilian professionals with the technical skills required to support complex defense missions.

The region’s higher education institutions further strengthen this pipeline. The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, provides a particularly strong connection between education and the defense community. Its nationally recognized programs in engineering, cybersecurity, intelligence and security studies, and business prepare graduates for careers across the military, federal government, and private-sector defense industry. Combined with its longstanding tradition of developing military and civilian leaders, The Citadel provides defense employers access to talent with both technical expertise and mission-focused leadership experience. 

Defense employers also benefit from a collaborative workforce development network designed to meet evolving industry needs. Regional universities, technical colleges, and workforce organizations work closely with government and industry partners to prepare talent in engineering, cybersecurity, information technology, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and skilled trades.

Key workforce resources include:

• Joint Base Lindsey Graham Transition Assistance Program (TAP) – Connects transitioning service members with civilian careers, helping employers recruit experienced military talent with proven leadership and technical expertise.
• readySC – Provides customized recruiting and workforce training at no cost for qualifying new and expanding companies, helping defense employers accelerate hiring and reduce ramp-up time.
• Trident Technical College – Delivers industry-aligned education and workforce training in advanced manufacturing, engineering technology, cybersecurity, information technology, logistics, and skilled trades.
• The Citadel – Develops future military and civilian leaders while offering nationally recognized engineering, cybersecurity, intelligence, and business programs that support defense and government careers.
• Charleston Southern University – Educates graduates in cybersecurity, engineering, computer science, aviation, and business programs that align with defense industry workforce needs.
• Clemson University (Zucker Family Graduate Education Center) – Expands graduate education and research opportunities in engineering, digital technologies, and innovation that support the region’s advanced industries.
• Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) – Adds specialized expertise in biomedical research, biotechnology, data science, clinical research, and health innovation with applications in military medicine, biodefense, force health protection, and national security. 

Together, these resources create a sustainable talent pipeline that enables defense companies to recruit experienced professionals, develop future leaders, and scale operations with confidence.