Last updated: April 18, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Air Industries Group supplies critical defense components such as E-2D Hawkeye landing gear, UH-60 Black Hawk flight controls, and CH-53K chaff pods.
- After the 2026 Tenax merger, the company projects more than $210 million in revenue with greater capacity, though integration risks remain.
- Procurement teams face challenges that include tight tolerances (+/-0.002″), ITAR/AS9100D compliance, supply chain stability, and full traceability.
- Precision Advanced Manufacturing delivers integrated machining, welding, and fabrication in one operation, which removes vendor handoffs and lowers program risk.
- For AS9100D/ITAR-compliant defense manufacturing with integrated capabilities, request a quote from Precision Advanced Manufacturing today.
Air Industries Group Capabilities Breakdown
Landing Gear Systems
Air Industries Group serves as the sole supplier of main and nose landing gear, as well as arresting gear, for the E-2D Hawkeye twin-engine tactical aircraft. The company also manufactures complete landing gear components for several variants of the F-18 Hornet fighter aircraft and provides landing gear components for the F-15 Eagle tactical fighter.
Flight Controls & Actuators
The company produces primary flight control assembly and tail-rotor gearbox for the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, which are classified as flight-critical components. Air Industries Group also supplies Chaff Pods under a 2021 Long-Term Agreement and Swashplates and Hubs per a 2024 purchase order for the CH-53K helicopter.
Engine Components
Air Industries Group manufactures Thrust Struts for the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbo-Fan (GTF) engine used in commercial aircraft such as the Airbus A220 and Embraer E2, supplying to Collins Aerostructures.
Facilities & Capacity Outlook
Following the February 17, 2026 strategic combination with Tenax Aerospace, the merged entity projects pro-forma 2026 revenues exceeding $210.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA exceeding $75.0 million. The merger is expected to close before June 30, 2026.
The table below summarizes Air Industries Group’s core manufacturing capabilities, the materials and specifications involved, and the key defense contracts they support.
| Capability | Materials/Specifications | Key Contracts |
|---|---|---|
| Landing Gear | Titanium/Aluminum, deep-hole drilling | E-2D sole supplier |
| Flight Controls | Flight-critical assemblies | UH-60 primary controls |
| Engine Components | Thrust struts, critical engine mounts | Pratt & Whitney GTF |
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Key Programs & Contracts
Air Industries Group maintains significant positions across multiple defense platforms. The company has reported a substantial funded backlog, which is distributed across the following major programs.
Major Platform Involvement
- E-2D Advanced Hawkeye: Sole supplier for main and nose landing gear and arresting gear
- CH-53K King Stallion: Chaff Pods under a 2021 LTA and Swashplates and Hubs under a 2024 purchase order
- F-35 Lightning II: Landing gear components for all three variants, including the US Navy F-35C
- UH-60 Black Hawk: Primary flight control assembly and tail-rotor gearbox
The Tenax merger creates expanded capacity for these programs, though integration timelines remain uncertain as the transaction approaches its June 2026 closing deadline.
The following table details Air Industries Group’s major platform involvement, including supplied components, contract status, and military end users.
| Program | Component Type | Contract Status | End User |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-2D Hawkeye | Landing gear and arresting gear | Sole supplier | U.S. Navy |
| CH-53K King Stallion | Chaff pods and swashplates | 2021 LTA, 2024 PO | U.S. Marine Corps |
| F-35C Lightning II | Landing gear components | Supplied | U.S. Navy |
Limitations & Evaluation Criteria
Air Industries Group focuses on specialized discrete component manufacturing rather than fully integrated assemblies. The ongoing Tenax merger also introduces uncertainty around future capacity allocation and facility consolidation schedules.
Procurement teams evaluating Air Industries Group should assess tolerance capabilities and inspection protocols to confirm that components meet specification requirements. Equally critical is verification of AS9100D and ITAR compliance documentation, because gaps in certification can delay program approval. Teams then need to evaluate scalability from prototype to full-rate production to confirm that capacity exists for program growth. This scalability review should include traceability and material certification processes, which become more complex at higher volumes. Finally, buyers should examine on-time delivery metrics and risk mitigation strategies to understand how the supplier manages schedule pressure and supply chain disruption.
For procurement teams that want to address these evaluation criteria through a more integrated manufacturing model, Precision Advanced Manufacturing offers a different approach.
Superior Defense Contract Manufacturing: Precision Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities
Precision Advanced Manufacturing provides an integrated alternative to specialized suppliers like Air Industries Group. The company combines multi-axis CNC machining, precision sheet metal fabrication, specialty welding with thermal distortion control, and comprehensive finishing services in one operation. This structure removes handoffs between vendors and reduces program risk.
Precision Advanced Manufacturing operates under AS9100D, ISO 9001:2015, and ITAR registrations and maintains 52,000 square feet of manufacturing space across California and Texas facilities. The company supports scalable production from prototype development through multi-shift manufacturing while holding tight aerospace-grade tolerances.
Problem-Solution Advantages
Precision Advanced Manufacturing addresses common defense manufacturing pain points with targeted solutions.
- Program Delays: Integrated capabilities remove shipping delays between machining, welding, and finishing operations.
- Quality Rework: First-pass quality improves through advanced CNC programming and in-process inspection.
- Compliance Gaps: Complete AS9100D and ITAR documentation with full traceability from material receipt through delivery.
- Supply Chain Bottlenecks: Single-source support for complex assemblies that require multiple manufacturing processes.
The comparison below shows how Precision Advanced Manufacturing’s integrated model differs from Air Industries Group’s specialized approach across key operational areas.
| Feature | Air Industries Group | Precision Advanced Manufacturing | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facility Structure | Expanded facilities post-merger | Dual-facility operations | Streamlined operations |
| Capabilities | Specialized components | Multi-axis CNC, fabrication, and welding | One-roof solution |
| Certifications | Defense contractor | AS9100D, ISO 9001, ITAR | Full compliance |
| Production Range | High-volume focus | Prototype through multi-shift production | Program flexibility |
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How to Partner with Precision Advanced Manufacturing
Precision Advanced Manufacturing simplifies supplier onboarding through a clear three-step process.
- Connect with Experts: Engage aerospace and defense manufacturing specialists to define program requirements, specifications, and critical timelines.
- Receive Tailored Quote: Review a detailed capability assessment that covers tolerances, materials from exotic alloys to 10″ waterjet capacity, certifications, and production strategy.
- Launch Production: Move from prototype validation to full-rate manufacturing with certified quality and complete traceability.
Conclusion
Air Industries Group offers established positions on key defense platforms, yet many procurement teams need integrated manufacturing support for mission-critical programs. Precision Advanced Manufacturing delivers that integrated capability set with certified quality systems and scalable capacity. Minimize your program risk with a custom quote from Precision Advanced Manufacturing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials can Precision Advanced Manufacturing work with for defense applications?
Precision Advanced Manufacturing works with a wide range of materials for defense applications, including stainless steel, ballistic and armor plating, carbon steel, composites, exotic alloys, titanium, and aluminum. The company’s laser cutting capabilities handle materials up to 1″ thick, and waterjet systems cut materials up to 10″ thick. The only exceptions are tempered glass and beryllium copper. This broad material capability supports the demanding specifications found in aerospace and defense programs.
How does Precision Advanced Manufacturing ensure compliance with defense contract requirements?
Precision Advanced Manufacturing operates under AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management systems and maintains ITAR registration for defense-related programs. Every project includes defined quality checkpoints, complete material traceability, and documentation aligned with aerospace quality standards. The company provides full inspection reports, material certifications, and process documentation required for defense contract compliance, which reduces the compliance verification burden on procurement teams.
Can Precision Advanced Manufacturing scale from prototype to full production for defense programs?
Precision Advanced Manufacturing supports the complete product lifecycle from initial prototype development through sustained, multi-shift production. This scalability allows defense programs to move from design validation to full-rate manufacturing without changing suppliers or lowering quality standards. The company’s 52,000 square feet of manufacturing space across California and Texas facilities provides capacity for large-scale defense programs while maintaining the precision required for mission-critical components.
What tolerances can Precision Advanced Manufacturing achieve for defense components?
Precision Advanced Manufacturing consistently achieves tight aerospace-grade tolerances through advanced multi-axis CNC machining and precision fabrication processes. Laser cutting machines maintain tolerances of +/-0.002″ with repeatability within +/-0.001″, and waterjet systems hold tolerances within +/-0.005″. These capabilities meet the precision requirements found in aerospace and defense applications where component accuracy directly affects mission success and safety.
How does Precision Advanced Manufacturing handle complex geometries and specialized welding for defense applications?
Precision Advanced Manufacturing uses precision and specialty welding techniques designed to control thermal distortion, which is critical for structural integrity in lightweight aerospace assemblies. Experienced welders apply TIG, MIG, and Stick welding methods with guided procedures to ensure strong, high-quality bonds. Combined with advanced multi-axis CNC machining capabilities, Precision Advanced Manufacturing produces complex geometries and assemblies that meet demanding defense specifications while maintaining dimensional accuracy throughout the manufacturing process.
