Utah Aerospace & Defense Leaders Unveil Cutting-Edge Technologies on Capitol Hill
Today, 47G will host their annual Utah Aerospace & Defense Day on Capitol Hill to showcase next-generation technologies from leaders in Utah’s aerospace and defense industry. The premier annual event is the only one of its kind in Utah. This unique opportunity affords legislators and the public to see and experience Utah-based innovation, including artificial intelligence breakthroughs, composite materials used in space missions, 3-D printing applications, virtual reality devices, military-grade weapons, drone demonstrations and much more.
Over forty companies from the 47G ecosystem will be exhibiting, including national security companies Boeing, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems; Utah companies Hexcel, OmniTeq, Electric Power Systems, Fibrx; leading academic institutions University of Utah and Weber State University; among many others. Zipline, a leading autonomous delivery system operator that transports medicine directly to Salt Lake County residents via drone, will display 
their aircraft alongside Fortem Technologies (Pleasant Grove, UT), which will provide an aerial demonstration of Drone Hunter, its drone that intercepts and captures rogue drones in midair using a net, tether, and parachutes.
"Utah’s aerospace, defense and cyber companies, as well as our academic institutions, are some of the best in the world. We gather on Capitol Hill today not only to showcase next-generation technologies and research but also to facilitate meaningful dialogue between our industry leaders and state legislators,” said Aaron Starks, CEO and president of 47G. “Collaboration with legislators enables our industry to navigate regulatory frameworks, funding mechanisms and policies that help Utah remain globally competitive and promote our national security.”
Utah Aerospace & Defense Day on Capitol Hill comes as Senator Ann Millner and Representative Val Peterson launch the newly formed Utah Aerospace & Defense Caucus. This caucus will showcase legislative support for Utah’s aerospace and defense industry by fostering collaboration, advancing innovation and facilitating industry-related policy discussions. “Utah’s aerospace and defense industry represents 20% of the state’s economy, employing thousands of Utahns and contributing billions of dollars to the state budget every year,” said Representative Peterson. “We support policies and funding for industry priorities that directly benefit Utahns and are aligned with their needs.”
