Key Industries:

MILITARY, FEDERAL & DEFENSE

Safeguarding Our Nation Starts Here

The information, security and convenience we seek have deep roots in Maryland’s military and federal agencies. From daily weather reports to breakthrough medical research. From food safety standards to national security. Maryland’s military installations and federal facilities positively impact the state, nation, and world, and power a robust defense industry in Maryland.

This creates boundless opportunities for businesses offering services and goods that the military and federal agencies can use.

#1
Federal Tech Transfer Facilities
Source: Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer, 2025.​
#5
Defense spending
Source: U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Spending by State, Fiscal Year 2023.
#1
Concentration of aerospace engineers (California-Lexington Park)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment, May 2023.

The Military in Maryland

Maryland is a land of military leaders. Within the state’s borders are 20 military facilities, supporting chemical and biological defense R&D, military intelligence, cybersecurity, and more. Get to know some of them here.

Defense Agency Directory

Aberdeen Proving Ground

U.S. Army

Aberdeen Proving Ground hosts more than 80 tenants, including six Army Centers of Excellence: weapons and equipment R&D; material testing and evaluation; communications and cybersecurity research and field support; and personal security investigation; and Adelphi Laboratory Center.

Naval Air Station Patuxent River

U.S. Navy

Center of Excellence for naval aviation, testing and pilot training. Hosts more than 50 tenant organizations, including Naval Air Systems Command and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division.

Fort Detrick

U.S. Army

Home of multi-agency medical research and medical logistics, with the U.S. Army Medical R&D and Medical Logistics commands. Also hosts support for global communications, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasure Center.

Fort Meade

U.S. Army

Hosts at least 120 tenant organizations, including National Security Agency, U.S. Cyber Command, Navy and Marine Corps Commands, and Defense Information Systems Agency.

Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock

U.S. Navy

Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division is the Navy’s premier center for ship design and maritime engineering, home to world-class facilities including the David Taylor Model Basin—one of the largest towing tanks in the world—supporting hull, propulsion, and survivability testing from concept through deployment.

Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head

U.S. Navy

Center of Excellence for guns, rockets, missiles, energetics, explosive devices and safety. Hosts Naval Surface Warfare Center with primary mission to research, develop, test, evaluate and produce energetics.

Helpful Resources for Defense Contractors

Maryland Defense Network Collaboration Tool

With such a strong military presence, defense business is big business in Maryland. Maryland is dedicated to ensuring these defense contractors continue to thrive, continuously creating opportunities for these businesses. For instance, the Maryland Defense Network, connects government contractors to business opportunities and partners.

Learn More

DefTech Centers for Defense Commercialization

The Maryland Defense Technology Commercialization Center (DefTech) connects businesses to the DoD labs in Maryland for product development, testing, IP licensing, and more to help businesses bring their innovation to market faster.

Learn More

NIST

National Institute of Standards and Technology

NIST solves science and technology problems today so that U.S. industry and science can produce the improved products, services, and technologies of tomorrow.

NIH

National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health leads the way in medical discoveries by funding and conducting medical research. NIH scientists investigate ways to prevent ailments, as well as the causes, treatments and cures for common and rare diseases.

FDA

Food & Drug Administration

The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.

NASA

Goddard Space Flight Center

NASA Goddard is the nation’s largest organization of scientists, engineers and technologists who build spacecraft, instruments and technology. The operational home of the James Webb and Hubble Space Telescopes, the Goddard Space Flight Center has built and operated more Earth science research satellites than any other institution in the world.

Federal Agencies in Maryland

Leading scientists, engineers, and technologists are innovating at Maryland-based agencies that span more than 60 federal facilities. Get to know just a few of of Maryland’s esteemed federal agencies, below.

Learn More

Maryland Federal, Military & Defense News

Lisa Swoboda

Lisa Swoboda

Senior Director, Military & Federal Affairs, Maryland Department of Commerce

410-767-6077