07-09-2026
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San Antonio's aerospace industry has deep roots — and an increasingly dynamic future. At a recent panel hosted at the Boeing Center at Tech Port, leaders from four companies shaping that future gathered to talk about where the industry is headed and what it will take to get there.
Watch: Port San Antonio VP Will Garrett served as the moderator for the panel, which featured the following individuals: Bianca Rhodes, Knight Aerospace; Megan Watson, Boeing San Antonio; Dan Gonzales, StandardAero; and Mike Smith, Darkhive.
Boeing, whose Port San Antonio workforce of over 5,000 employees represents the company’s largest aircraft modernization complex in the world, highlighted the application of augmented reality and AI to modernize aging aircraft fleets.
Image credit: Boeing San Antonio.
Its Port neighbor, StandardAero, operates a rapidly growing facility whose more than 1,000 on-site employees specialize in the modernization and construction of engines that power global fleets of commercial and military platforms. During the conversation, the company zeroed-in on its longstanding use of predictive maintenance, and increasingly digital twins, to ensure peak performance of the array of products its San Antonio operation support.
Image credit: StandardAero.
Locally-headquartered Knight Aerospace discussed its work designing and building specialized aeromedical ‘flying hospitals’ for next-generation aircraft as well as prototypes of cargo containers designed to sustain the stress of rocket-based suborbital flight.
Image credit: Knight Aerospace.
Joining the group was local startup Darkhive, which is quickly becoming a leader in the development of autonomous drone systems and components that are redefining how warfighters operate in the field.
Image credit: Darkhive.
Across all four enterprises, a common thread emerged: aerospace in San Antonio is growing fast, and the challenge now is building the talent pipeline to match. Just as important as their investments in innovation and technological advancements, each panelist emphasized the critical role of education and talent development — from high school internship programs to veteran transition pathways — and a shared conviction that the region's military heritage, infrastructure and educational institutions put San Antonio in a strong position to lead.
The panel was moderated by Port San Antonio VP Will Garrett and hosted in partnership with CNTR/CTY and Tech Bloc.
Video Credits: OPCOM Media Group.
