Defense Technology Gains Momentum in Greater Chattanooga
Greater Chattanooga, long celebrated for its scenic beauty and revitalized urban core, is now gaining recognition for its emerging defense technology sector – fueled by a potent mix of local ingenuity and strategic international investment.
Two compelling examples highlight this growing momentum: the recent success of homegrown startup One-Off Robotics, and the decision by Amaero Ltd. to relocate its headquarters and manufacturing hub from Australia to nearby Cleveland, Tennessee.
Homegrown and Growing
One-Off Robotics reflects Chattanooga’s spirit of grassroots innovation. Launched out of the INCubator – a public-private initiative that supports early-stage ventures – the company specializes in engineering advanced robotic systems for industrial fabrication, with a focus on metal additive manufacturing, a field increasingly vital to the future of aerospace, defense and energy industries.
Recent contracts for emerging technology initiatives in the defense sector highlight the company’s capacity to deliver cutting-edge solutions for complex, mission-critical applications. Additive manufacturing enables the creation of lightweight, high-strength components essential for next-generation defense and aerospace systems, an area where U.S. demand is rapidly increasing.
CEO Nick Johnson says the Greater Chattanooga region has the right mix of skilled workforce, technology focus and brand presence for companies like his.
“The availability of human capital is a significant asset,” he says. “Companies like ours can leverage the low cost of living while having the ability to attract skilled robotics technicians and other talent to help us grow our business.”
One-Off Robotics is growing – and so are the sectors it serves, including aerospace, defense, oil and gas, mining and the commercial marine industry. Johnson says his company is looking to exit the INCubator space and either buy or build a facility that meets its expanding needs.
“We’re looking at a lot of growth in our sector over the next few years and we are planning accordingly,” he says.
Bringing Back Advanced Manufacturing
Also strengthening the region’s defense tech credentials is Amaero, an ASX-listed company that has commissioned the largest U.S. domestic production capacity for specialty alloy powders that are essential to additive manufacturing (3-D printing) of mission-critical metal components for defense and space programs. These specialty powders are crucial for producing high-performance parts used in military aircraft, satellites and next-generation propulsion systems.
Amaero’s decision to relocate its corporate headquarters and manufacturing operations to Greater Chattanooga reflects confidence in the area’s strategic advantages. Amaero secured funding from the Export-Import Bank for its Make More in America initiative; the loan was the first approved specifically for advanced manufacturing and advanced materials under the program, underscoring the national importance of reshoring critical industries.
Amaero’s move is no coincidence. Tennessee offers a favorable regulatory climate, an increasingly skilled workforce and proximity to major military and aerospace hubs such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Cleveland, specifically, provides access to critical infrastructure, Class I rail service and the benefits of operating within a rapidly growing Southeastern economy – all while maintaining lower operational costs than larger metropolitan areas.
“Reshoring and scaling domestic manufacturing capabilities are an imperative for national security and economic policy,” says Hank Holland, CEO and chairman of Amaero. “Amaero has acted decisively to make forward-leaning investments that address critical gaps in the domestic supply chain that are essential to an integrated sovereign industrial base.”
Forging Ahead
The Greater Chattanooga region has welcomed Amaero.
“The State of Tennessee, the Bradley County community and Tennessee Valley Authority have expedited actions to support our ambitious plans and have been a great partner,” Holland says. “There’s no better place to locate advanced manufacturing than Tennessee.”
The convergence of local innovation, represented by One-Off Robotics, and global investment, exemplified by Amaero, illustrates Greater Chattanooga’s rising profile in defense technology. The region’s success rests on a unique combination of strengths: supportive innovation infrastructure like the INCubator, a strategic geographic location with superior logistics access, a capable talent pool bolstered by nearby technical institutions and a high quality of life at a relatively low cost. These factors position Greater Chattanooga as a serious player in the future of American defense manufacturing.
Find Success in Greater Chattanooga
Learn more about the region’s business and economic opportunities at livability.com/chattanooga-region.