CAES
CAES is a US defense electronics company specializing in advanced RF technologies, radar, communications, electronic warfare systems, and missile data-link assemblies for military, aerospace, and missile/munitions customers. Acquired by Honeywell in 2024 for $1.9 billion.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1934
- HeadquartersArlington, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CAES does
CAES (legal name CAES Systems Holdings LLC) is a US-based defense electronics company headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, specializing in advanced radio frequency (RF) technologies and critical electronic components for military and aerospace applications. Founded in 1934, the company builds subsystems across the signal chain from antenna aperture to digital conversion, with core product lines covering advanced RF technologies, radar systems, communications systems, electronic warfare (EW) systems, and missile data-link assemblies. Its products span land, air, sea, and space domains and are qualified for deployment across missile and munitions platforms, supporting major defense primes.
CAES operates as a B2B defense electronics supplier with a horizontal segmentation strategy across defense/military, aerospace, and missile/munitions segments. Revenue is generated through long-cycle defense contracts and program awards with primes such as Raytheon Technologies, exemplified by a $172.7 million multi-year (three-year) contract for missile data-link assembly support. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, consistent with classified and program-sensitive defense procurement. Customers are concentrated among major US defense primes and the Department of Defense ecosystem.
Prior to its June 2024 acquisition by Honeywell International Inc. for $1.9 billion (from Advent International), CAES was a portfolio company of the private equity firm Advent International. Following the transaction, CAES operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary within Honeywell's Aerospace Technologies segment, contributing radar, communications, EW, and RF capabilities to Honeywell's broader defense electronics portfolio. Addressable end-markets include radiation-hardened electronics, military embedded systems, and air-based C4ISR, all of which are projected to grow materially through 2030.
CAES firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CAES
- Legal name
- CAES Systems Holdings LLC
- Website
- https://caes.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1934
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- CAES is a US defense electronics company specializing in advanced RF technologies, radar, communications, electronic warfare systems, and missile data-link assemblies for military, aerospace, and missile/munitions customers. Acquired by Honeywell in 2024 for $1.9 billion.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CAES industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Defense Electronics
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Military Power Supplies, RF/Microwave Components & Ruggedized Electronics (IMABAGAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Radar Systems & Subsystems (Airborne, Ground, Naval) (IMABAGAA), Air Defense Missiles & Interceptors (IMABAHAD), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)
Keywords
Where CAES is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arlington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
CAES business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations
CAES product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CAES manufactures advanced radio frequency (RF) technologies, radar, communications, and electronic warfare systems for defense and aerospace applications across land, air, sea, and space domains. The company also supplies critical electronic components and missile data-link assemblies for missile and munitions markets to major defense contractors.
Product overview
CAES (previously CAES Systems Holdings LLC) is a defense electronics company that was acquired by Honeywell International Inc. for $1.9 billion in June 2024. The company specializes in advanced radio frequency technologies, radar, communications, and electronic warfare systems spanning land, air, sea, and space domains. CAES also supplies critical electronic components for missile and munitions markets, including missile data-link assemblies under contracts with major defense contractors like Raytheon Technologies. Following the acquisition, CAES operates as part of Honeywell's defense and aerospace portfolio.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Advanced Radio Frequency Technologies
Companies that use CAES
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
CAES technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
CAES partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Raytheon TechnologiescoreRaytheon Technologies awarded CAES a $172.7 million multi-year contract for missile data-link assembly support over three years. CAES supplies critical electronic components for missile and munitions markets on various platforms. This represents a significant defense contractor relationship.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights4 records
CAES competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mercury Systems: Mercury Systems is a pure-play defense electronics company specializing in RF, microwave, signal processing, and mission-critical subsystems — the closest direct competitor to CAES in ruggedized defense RF.
- Curtiss-Wright Corporation: Curtiss-Wright's Defense Solutions segment provides rugged electronics, RF/microwave subsystems, and signal-chain components for defense platforms, closely overlapping CAES' product portfolio.
- Crane Aerospace & Electronics: Crane A&E designs and manufactures ruggedized electronic, microwave, and power systems for aerospace and defense — a direct competitor to CAES in defense-grade RF and electronic subsystems.
- Moog Inc. Moog's defense electronics business produces precision motion control, RF, and electronic subsystems for military platforms, competing with CAES in defense signal-chain components.
- Leonardo DRS: Leonardo DRS is a mid-sized defense electronics supplier offering RF/microwave, sensing, and electronic warfare subsystems — directly comparable to CAES in scale and product mix.
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: Kratos produces unmanned systems, RF/EW, and microwave electronics for defense customers — overlapping with CAES in electronic warfare and signal-chain subsystems.
Broad incumbents
- L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a top-tier defense prime with deep franchises in RF communications, EW, and space electronics — a broad incumbent that competes with CAES across multiple domains including the customer side.
- BAE Systems: BAE Systems is a global defense prime with significant electronic systems and C4ISR capabilities — a broad incumbent whose defense electronics business competes with CAES' offerings.
- TransDigm Group (Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions): TransDigm's Cobham AES unit supplies ruggedized RF, microwave, and electronic warfare components to defense primes — overlapping meaningfully with CAES' product portfolio.
Others
- RTX (Raytheon): Raytheon is both a major customer of CAES (missile data-link contract) and a vertically integrated defense electronics competitor — included as a customer/ecosystem peer given its dual role.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CAES social profiles
Digital presenceCAES financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CAES leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
CAES funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CAES 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 CAES
What does CAES do?
CAES manufactures advanced radio frequency (RF) technologies, radar, communications, and electronic warfare systems for defense and aerospace applications across land, air, sea, and space domains. The company also supplies critical electronic components and missile data-link assemblies for missile and munitions markets to major defense contractors.
Is CAES a public or private company?
CAES is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was CAES founded?
CAES was founded in 1934. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is CAES based?
CAES is headquartered in Arlington, United States, in the North America region.
Who are CAES's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mercury Systems, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Crane Aerospace & Electronics, Moog Inc., Leonardo DRS and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions. Broad incumbents are L3Harris Technologies, BAE Systems and TransDigm Group (Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions). RTX (Raytheon) is listed as an others.
Does CAES have an API?
No public API is recorded for CAES.
What industry is CAES in?
CAES's product category is Defense Electronics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAGAJ, Military Power Supplies, RF/Microwave Components & Ruggedized Electronics, with a secondary code of IMABAGAA, Radar Systems & Subsystems (Airborne, Ground, Naval). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.