The Southern Pacific Aero-Defense Alliance (SPADA) officially commenced operations as a regional nonprofit organization designed to coordinate efforts across Southern California's aerospace and defense industry. The alliance brings together stakeholders from industry, government, academia, and community organizations to address existing coordination gaps within the sector. SPADA's formation reflects growing recognition of the need for integrated approaches to regional economic development in the defense and aerospace markets.
The organization will focus on three core initiatives: fostering innovation, developing skilled workforce programs, and strengthening supply-chain resilience across the region. These priorities align with broader industry challenges facing the aerospace and defense sectors, including talent retention, technological advancement, and supplier network optimization. By creating a centralized collaborative platform, SPADA aims to enhance efficiency and competitiveness among regional stakeholders.
The alliance will formally introduce its mission and leadership during a public launch event scheduled for March 11, 2026. The event will feature remarks from Congressman George Whitesides and OJ Sanchez, a senior official at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, underscoring the participation of both government and major defense contractors in the initiative. The high-profile debut signals strong industry backing for SPADA's mission to position Southern California as a coordinated hub for aerospace and defense innovation and manufacturing.