ACR Electronics, Inc. was founded in 1956 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The company specializes in manufacturing electronics assembly for emergency and rescue applications including: emergency distress beacons [EPIRBs (emergency position-indicating radio beacons), ELTs (emergency locator transmitters), and PLBs (personal locator beacons)], distress strobe lights, maritime searchlights, other survival products, GMDSS- (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) and SOLAS- (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) approved products, and much more. In 1999, the company was purchased by Cobham plc and in 2012, ARC merged with ARTEX, another life-saving and emergency equipment manufacturer.
Learn MoreZodiac Aerospace (Euronext: ZC) is a world leader in the production and development of on-board systems and cabin interiors. Their products are used for commercial, regional and business aircraft, as well as helicopters and space applications.This French company’s history dates back to 1896 as a leading balloon airship manufacturer that, in 1909, manufactured the world’s first sporting and tourist balloons. Zodiac’s experience in airplanes can be traced back to 1911 when they contributed to the war effort by constructing airplanes.
Learn MoreEven before the war in Iraq, spearheaded by the US military, began in 2003, Dassault Aviation was feeling the impact of decreased sales in the military jet business. Dassault Aviation, which is France’s only manufacturer of military warplanes, lost several orders to large US-based companies in the past decade. Such orders include a $4.4 billion, 40-jet order in South Korea in Spring of 2003, which was won by US aerospace giant Boeing.
Learn MoreGeneral Dynamics, an American aerospace and defense company, is one of the largest defense contractors in the world. In 2012, they were ranked as the world’s 5th largest defense contractor, and have now earned the 4th spot in recent years. General Dynamic’s total arms sales are valued at $24 billion, with $2.6 billion in total profit. Their core military programs include the Abrams M1 Main Battle Tank, which is the standard tank of the US military. In addition, they support ships, munitions, and military-grade communication systems.
Learn MoreSince the company’s creation in 1925, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has become a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of military and commercial helicopters; fixed-wing aircraft; spare parts and maintenance, repair and overhaul services for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft; and civil helicopter operations. Although they handle commercial aircrafts, Sikorsky’s forte is production for the military. What do all five branches of the United States armed forces have in common?
Learn MoreRecently, Northrop Grumman extended its track record of large government contracts with an $89.7 million contract option to continue its support of the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) system, which is for overseas contingency missions. BACN, a high-altitude, airborne communications gateway, connects warfighters both in the air and on the ground through the use of voice communications, video, and imagery. The system relays battlefield information to sources that help improve situational awareness and help coordinate with all assets. To date, the Air Force has deployed 4 BACN E-11A system and 3 BACN EQ-4B systems in the Iraqi War.
Learn MoreAs technology continues to advance, the way the world communicates, travels, and lives are constantly changing. Panasonic Avionics Corporation looks towards bringing these three things together while keeping up with current technology through In Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) solutions. IFEC plays a big part in the aviation industry and can cost anywhere from $2 million to $5 million for a plane to be equipped with LCD monitors and an IFEC system.
Learn MoreIBM first appeared as Computing Tabulating Recording Company in 1911. Through the merger of three separate business entities in 1924, International Business Machines was formed. In 2012 IBM was ranked the 9th largest U.S. firm in terms of profitability. IBM was ranked in the top 20 of multiple categories which include the number of employees, revenue, green company and most admired company by Forbes, Fortune and Baron’s. Worldwide IBM operates 12 research laboratories.
Learn MoreAfter 50 successful years, Gulfstream is the world standard in business aviation. More than 2000 aircraft have been produced since it was incorporated in the late 50’s. The Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation evolved from Grumman Aircraft Engineering Company. Grumman was known for military aircraft until they developed their first marketable business aircraft, the Grumman Gulfstream 1.
Learn MorePratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of the multinational conglomerate United Technologies Corporation, is vying for dominance of the aircraft engine market alongside major competitors Rolls Royce and General Electric. As such, it has also formed joined ventures with these companies. It is working in conjunction with GE in a joint venture called Engine Alliance in which it is manufacturing engines for the Airbus 380. It is also working with International Aero Engines, a Rolls-Royce company, in a joint venture called MTU Aero Engines for the manufacturing of engines for the Airbus A320 and McDonnell Douglas MD-90 aircraft.
Learn MoreHoneywell Aerospace, a subsidiary of the larger American multinational conglomerate Honeywell International, expects considerable growth in its business jet industry in the foreseeable future. Between 2011 and 2021, Honeywell estimates approximate sales exceeding $230 billion from business jets alone, according to its 20th edition of the annual Business Aviation Outlook. Although this represents only a 2% increase from the company’s previous 10 year sales estimate which was forecasted in 2010, this still accounts for substantial growth in the saturated aviation market.
Learn MoreIt has become clear that the military industrial complex has become a very lucrative worldwide business, with $235 billion in arms being sold every year by large defense companies. The arms trade has reached every corner of the globe, with the United States in particular. Of the 100 top defense companies in the world, 47 of those are American companies. It can be said that making and selling weaponry has become a US specialty.
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