7 defense contractors in Maine you probably don’t know about
A main building at Martin's Point Health Care headquarters in Portland. (Kelley Bouchard/Staff Writer)
The U.S. Department of Defense spent $3.6 billion with military contractors in Maine in the 2024 budget year, according to the agency’s latest state-level report.
Many of the larger contractors are well-known, including General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works, Pratt & Whitney and Cianbro. Others are more surprising because they’re smaller or not closely associated with defense services.
Here are seven lesser-known defense contractors in Maine:
City of Bangor: holds a military aircraft refueling contract, at Bangor International Airport, home of the Bangor Air National Guard Base, valued at $35.5 million in 2023.
Compotech, Brewer: makes the Expeditionary Shelter Protection System, a quick-setup composite fencing system that protects soldiers from blast and ballistic threats with strategically placed panel armor technology. Contracts totaling $40 million were awarded 2017-2025.
Down East Innovation, Bridgton: a producer of military equipment for over 30 years, DEI received a nonexclusive patent license in 2024 to make ambidextrous holsters for new handgun systems adopted across the military in recent years. They accommodate an attached aiming light, integrate special safety features and allow left- or right-side placement and withdrawal. Contract award unavailable.
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Enercon Technologies, Gray: designs and builds electro-mechanical devices for the medical, industrial and defense sectors, including drones, wearable soldier electronics and weapons sighting safety gear. Enercon is expected to benefit from $3 million recently appropriated to support making small unmanned aircraft systems for the Air Force.
Martin’s Point Health Care, Portland: provides healthcare coverage to active and retired military members and their families in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, upstate New York and parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio. One of six providers in the country to administer the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan, Martin’s Point has participated in the program since 1996. Renewed in 2023, the 10-year contract is valued at $6 billion.
Penobscot Support Services, Indian Island: the tribally owned small business has a five-year, $8.8 million defense contract to provide comprehensive maintenance and emergency generator repair services for backup power systems at U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground and Adelphi Laboratory Center in Maryland through May 2030.
Rubb USA, Sanford: makes massive, multipurpose fabric-over-metal frame structures used for military personnel and equipment, including aircraft hangars. Designed to withstand extreme wind and weather and to be set up, dismantled and repacked with ease. Awarded over $2.4 million in defense contracts in recent years.
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Tagged: Bangor International Airport, Department of Defense, manufacturing, martin's point health care, military, penobscot nation
Kelley writes about Maine businesses large and small, focusing on economic development, workforce initiatives and the state’s leading business organizations. Her wider experience includes municipal and. More by Kelley Bouchard
