PacStar Communications
PacStar Communications, a Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions brand, provides modular tactical edge communications hardware, IQ-Core network management software, and lifecycle services to military, government, and defense-integrator customers operating in austere and DDIL environments worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What PacStar Communications does
PacStar Communications, originally Pacific Star Communications and founded in 2000, is a Portland, Oregon-based provider of tactical edge IT and communications solutions operating as a brand within Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, a division of publicly traded Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW). The company designs modular, expeditionary communications hardware and software for military forces and government agencies that must operate in denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) environments. Its product portfolio spans deployable modular hardware, integrated solutions including NSA Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC)-approved encryption, the proprietary IQ-Core Software unified network management platform (available in six mission-specific editions), tactical network-attached storage (PacStar 455), the Universal Smart Chassis, rugged small-form-factor switches and routers, Tactical Data Link Processing, the Fabric100 100 GbE ecosystem, and safety-certifiable COTS cards. Products are built on open-architecture principles aligned with MOSA, SOSA, and CMOSS standards, and integrate with validated partner technologies from Microsoft, Cisco, NVIDIA, Intel, AMD, VMware, Red Hat, HPE, Persistent Systems, and Green Hills Software.
PacStar generates revenue through three primary streams: tactical communications hardware sales, IQ-Core Software licenses on a recurring model, and professional services that maintain hardware and software for the life of contract. The company sells to military and defense forces worldwide, aerospace and defense integrators, and adjacent government customers (e.g., the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority) via an enterprise field sales motion with consultative "Talk to an expert" and "Request a Quote or Demo" CTAs; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company operates from three offices — Portland, Oregon (technical support), Ashburn, Virginia (engineering and embedded computing), and Ottawa, Ontario (engineering) — and claims a global deployment footprint across military forces worldwide.
PacStar Communications firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PacStar Communications
- Legal name
- PacStar Communications
- Website
- https://pacstar.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- PacStar Communications, a Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions brand, provides modular tactical edge communications hardware, IQ-Core network management software, and lifecycle services to military, government, and defense-integrator customers operating in austere and DDIL environments worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PacStar Communications industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tactical Communications Hardware
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)
- SIC
- Communications Equipment, Nec (3669), Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Computer Storage Devices (3572)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Defense Communications (Secure Radios, SATCOM Terminals, Crypto) (IMABAGAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Secure Communications, Cryptography & Key Management Systems (IMABAOAK), Military Power Supplies, RF/Microwave Components & Ruggedized Electronics (IMABAGAJ)
Keywords
Where PacStar Communications is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
PacStar Communications business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tactical Communications Hardware: Sale of rugged, expeditionary communications hardware including modular systems, integrated solutions, tactical edge servers, switches, and routers for military applications.
- IQ-Core Software Licenses: Sale of unified network communications management software with multiple editions for different mission requirements.
- Professional Services: Comprehensive hardware and software maintenance services to keep equipment in peak condition for life of contract, including technical support and repair services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
PacStar Communications product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PacStar Communications designs, manufactures, and supports rugged tactical communications hardware and IQ-Core network management software for military, government, and commercial customers operating in denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) environments. The portfolio spans modular deployable communications hardware, integrated CSfC-encrypted solutions, tactical data storage, rugged switches and routers, and complementary services designed to MOSA, SOSA, and CMOSS open-architecture standards.
Product overview
PacStar Communications, operating under Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, offers a modular, integrated tactical communications portfolio centered on expeditionary edge compute and networking. The core offerings include Modular Hardware for deployable communications, Integrated Solutions (including CSfC-capable systems), IQ-Core Software (six distinct editions for network management), and comprehensive Services. The product line spans tactical data storage (PacStar 455), networking systems (Standard/SFF/USFF Switch/Routers), Tactical Data Link Processing solutions, Fabric100 100GbE connectivity ecosystem, and Safety-Certifiable COTS cards. These products work together as a unified tactical communications ecosystem designed for denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Modular Hardware Deployable communications hardware that enables military and defense users to stay connected, share information faster, and operate effectively in tactical expeditionary environments.
- Integrated Solutions Secure networking solutions including Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) capabilities that keep defense teams connected, protect critical data, and support rapid deployment.
- IQ-Core Software Unified network communications management software offered in six editions (NCM, CM, EUDM, CMM, ECA, ROAM) that address different mission needs and simplify configuration and monitoring for streamlined NetOps.
- Services Comprehensive hardware and software maintenance services to keep PacStar equipment in peak condition for the life of contract, including technical support and repair.
- PacStar 455 Tactical Data Storage Server Next-generation tactical network-attached storage (NAS) server designed for tactical edge data storage requirements.
- PacStar Universal Smart Chassis Flexible tactical network platform that adapts to evolving mission requirements and environments.
- Rugged, SFF Networking Systems Securely and affordably deploy digital network architectures for aerospace and military applications, available in Standard, SFF, and USFF Switch/Router form factors.
- Tactical Data Link Processing Suite of TDL Network Simulation, TDL Mission Software & Hardware, and Intelligent TDL Gateways for tactical data link communications.
- Fabric100 Complete end-to-end ecosystem of 100 GbE connectivity between rugged OpenVPX cards and system components for high-bandwidth data processing.
- Safety-Certifiable COTS Cards DO-254 safety-certifiable commercial off-the-shelf cards that speed time-to-market for safety-critical applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- Modular systems can be scaled or upgraded directly in the field without depot support
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use PacStar Communications
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PacStar Communications technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
PacStar Communications partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- MicrosoftcoreValidated PacStar tactical edge servers for Azure Local, enabling modern cloud capabilities at the tactical edge for defense applications.
- Green Hills SoftwarecoreCollaboration on high-performance, safety-certifiable COTS computing solution for critical avionics applications, combining Curtiss-Wright's defense portfolio with Green Hills Software's safety-certified real-time operating system.
- CiscocoreTechnology partner integrating Cisco networking capabilities into mission-ready tactical communications systems.
- NVIDIAcorePartner for GPU processing capabilities enabling AI and high-performance computing at the tactical edge.
- IntelcoreIntel processing solutions integrated into PacStar tactical communications hardware for embedded computing applications.
- AMDcoreAMD FPGA processing capabilities integrated into defense and aerospace computing solutions.
- HaivisioncoreCo-developed real-time intelligence and secure communications solution for federal agencies operating in austere environments, delivering enhanced situational awareness for tactical teams.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PacStar Communications competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- General Dynamics Mission Systems: General Dynamics Mission Systems delivers tactical communications, encryption, and networking solutions as part of a broader defense electronics portfolio, making it a direct incumbent competitor in tactical networking with greater scale and prime-contractor reach.
- Thales Defense & Security: Thales provides tactical radios, secure communications, and tactical networking solutions for allied militaries, competing with PacStar especially in coalition and NATO expeditionary communications markets.
- BAE Systems Electronic Systems: BAE Systems offers tactical communications, electronic warfare, and networked battlefield solutions for U.S. and allied militaries, providing overlapping capability to PacStar with significantly greater scale and program-of-record incumbency.
- Elbit Systems: Elbit Systems provides tactical communications, C4I, and ruggedized networking solutions for defense customers globally, making it a comparable provider in tactical edge networking with strong international defense presence.
- Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions (sibling division): PacStar operates as a brand under this same parent; sibling product lines in rugged OpenVPX processors, switches, and Tactical Data Link Processing overlap heavily with PacStar's networking and edge compute offerings.
- Ultra Electronics (now part of Ultra Maritime + others):
- L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a major defense prime with extensive tactical communications and secure radio offerings (e.g., Falcon series). It competes with PacStar in tactical edge networking but operates across a much broader portfolio including space, avionics, and integrated mission systems.
Direct peers
- Persistent Systems LLC: Persistent Systems provides the MPU5 tactical MANET radio and Wave Relay ecosystem for military and federal customers, competing directly with PacStar's tactical networking hardware and software stack in the same expeditionary communications niche.
- Silvus Technologies: Silvus specializes in tactical mesh networking and mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) for defense and public safety, directly overlapping PacStar's Networking on the Move and tactical wireless communications capabilities for military and government customers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PacStar Communications social profiles
Digital presencePacStar Communications financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PacStar Communications leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
PacStar Communications funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PacStar Communications M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PacStar Communications
What does PacStar Communications do?
PacStar Communications designs, manufactures, and supports rugged tactical communications hardware and IQ-Core network management software for military, government, and commercial customers operating in denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) environments. The portfolio spans modular deployable communications hardware, integrated CSfC-encrypted solutions, tactical data storage, rugged switches and routers, and complementary services designed to MOSA, SOSA, and CMOSS open-architecture standards.
Is PacStar Communications a public or private company?
PacStar Communications is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was PacStar Communications founded?
PacStar Communications was founded in 2000. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is PacStar Communications based?
PacStar Communications is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does PacStar Communications make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tactical Communications Hardware is the primary driver. The others are IQ-Core Software Licenses and professional Services.
Who are PacStar Communications's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are General Dynamics Mission Systems, Thales Defense & Security, BAE Systems Electronic Systems, Elbit Systems, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions (sibling division), Ultra Electronics (now part of Ultra Maritime + others) and L3Harris Technologies. Direct peers are Persistent Systems LLC and Silvus Technologies.
Does PacStar Communications have an API?
No public API is recorded for PacStar Communications.
What industry is PacStar Communications in?
PacStar Communications's product category is Tactical Communications Hardware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAGAG, Defense Communications (Secure Radios, SATCOM Terminals, Crypto), with a secondary code of IMABAOAK, Secure Communications, Cryptography & Key Management Systems. Its NAICS code is 5415 and its SIC code is 3669.