Massachusetts Eyes Defense Tech as Path Through Trump Tumult

Massachusetts entrepreneurs and politicians see an opening to make the state more of a military technology powerhouse and blunt the economic damage caused by the loss of federal support for industries such as life sciences and clean energy.

Boston-area startups are winning venture investments for their autonomous ships and plane technology, while defense giant RTX Corp. and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are looking to add to the billions of dollars in contracts they already bring in. State officials are angling for more, convening executives in Boston on Monday to unveil a new initiative to boost the defense industry.