Opinion | Minnesota is poised for a new push in aerospace and defense

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As Americans, we face a threat we cannot afford to ignore. China and Russia are rapidly advancing in the development of next-generation aerospace technologies, including hypersonic flight with military applications. These hypersonics can travel at more than five times the speed of sound, with maneuverability that allows them to evade current defensive systems. Russia has already deployed hypersonic weapons against Ukraine. China has publicly demonstrated its significant capabilities. The U.S. has fallen far behind. If we don’t accelerate our innovation and testing, we will not be able to effectively defend our nation.

Minnesota will soon play a critical role in meeting this challenge.

Our state excels in health care, agriculture and advanced manufacturing, powered by world-class universities, an inventive workforce and a strong tradition of industry-academic partnerships. Those same strengths have not been fully connected to the nation’s most urgent aerospace and defense needs. What has been missing is a catalytic project to bring them together.

That project is here and it will support a national security priority.

The Minnesota Aerospace Complex (MAC) will be a $1.1 billion investment from the federal government, the state of Minnesota and St. Paul-based North Wind focused on improving high speed aerospace development capabilities for our nation. Once completed, the MAC will be the most advanced aerospace research and development test facility in the country. This facility will be built on 60 acres at UMore Park in Rosemount, a former World War II munitions site that has been undeveloped for 75 years. The MAC will turn idle, polluted, unproductive land into a national asset.

The MAC will support NASA, commercial aerospace and private industry, creating dual-use innovations that foster new opportunities for American companies as well as the U.S. military. It will be a place where University of Minnesota researchers collaborate directly with North Wind, an aerospace company with a long history in St. Paul, ensuring that the next generation of engineers can build their careers right here in Minnesota rather than leaving the state to find cutting-edge aerospace opportunities.

For Minnesota, the MAC means restoring polluted land, expanding the tax base and creating high-tech, high-paying jobs. Our state will be hosting a facility of national significance.

For the nation, the MAC will be an independent design and testing facility that will provide accurate, reliable and uncompromised data to government and industry customers. Its purpose is to ensure the U.S. can compete and win in the next generation of aerospace development, while spurring commercial advances that can benefit every American.

The MAC has broad bipartisan support from members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation, along with state and local officials, Minnesota labor leaders and economic development experts. This is Minnesota speaking with a strong, unified voice.

In Congress and at home, we are working together to build the future of aerospace at the MAC. Minnesota can be proud to be leading on this critical effort to keep America strong and safe while securing a new era of economic success here at home.