RUAG

What RUAG does

RUAG International Holding AG is a Swiss state-owned aerospace group headquartered in Bern that, following the 2025 divestment of its aerostructures (transferred to Pilatus), ammunition, MRO, and cyber-security businesses, now operates entirely as a space-components supplier under its Beyond Gravity brand. The legal entity remains 100% owned by the Swiss Confederation, with the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) acting as ownership steward; in spring 2025 the Swiss Parliament confirmed Beyond Gravity would stay under federal ownership rather than being sold.

Beyond Gravity designs, develops, and manufactures space structures and mechanisms for satellite manufacturers, launch-vehicle integrators, and government space agencies. Its core product set includes high-precision satellite structures (including dispenser systems capable of releasing up to 36 satellites per launch), 20-metre carbon-fiber payload fairings for the Ariane 5/6 and Vulcan launch vehicles, thermal insulation and control systems, and Control & Data Units for navigation satellites. Manufacturing is differentiated by a proprietary out-of-autoclave carbon-fiber curing process that the company reports reduces production time by ~50% and unit cost by ~40% versus traditional autoclave methods. Production is distributed across facilities in Bern and Emmen (Switzerland), Oberpfaffenhofen (Germany), Linköping (Sweden), Decatur and Titusville (United States), and Eger (Hungary).

Revenue is generated through long-cycle, B2B enterprise contracts with space agencies (ESA, NASA), satellite constellation operators (Amazon/Leo, OneWeb), launch-vehicle primes (Arianespace, United Launch Alliance), and tier-1 system integrators (Airbus, OHB). In FY2025 the company reported net sales of CHF 412.0M and an order backlog of CHF 810.5M (~2x trailing revenue), serving 100+ customers across 400+ projects. Beyond Gravity's customer-reported +12.0% YoY growth in adjusted space-only sales is currently masked by headline revenue contraction due to the divestment program; the next-generation product vehicle is being positioned as a tier-1 supplier into the LEO mega-constellation and next-generation launch markets.

Name

RUAG

Legal name

RUAG International Holding AG

Website

https://ruag.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

RUAG International Holding AG is a Swiss state-owned aerospace supplier operating as Beyond Gravity, designing and manufacturing satellite structures, dispenser systems, launch-vehicle payload fairings, and thermal-control components for space agencies, satellite operators, and launch-vehicle primes globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Components and Systems Manufacturing

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)

Keywords

• Aerospace components
• Satellite structures
• Launch vehicle systems
• Space manufacturing
• Payload fairings

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Space Components and Systems: Design, development and manufacture of space components including satellite structures, launch vehicle payload fairings, dispenser systems, and thermal control products. Revenue is generated through long-term contracts with space agencies, launch vehicle manufacturers, and satellite constellation operators.
2. Space Services: Services supporting over 100 customers worldwide in more than 400 projects, including implementation of modular designs in industrialized series production and development of tailored solutions for unique space missions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

RUAG International, operating through its space-focused brand Beyond Gravity, designs, develops, and manufactures space components and systems including satellite structures, launch vehicle payload fairings, dispenser systems for satellite constellations, thermal control products, and control computers. The company serves space agencies, satellite manufacturers, and launch vehicle producers with high-precision composite structures and integrated systems for over 100 customers across more than 400 projects worldwide.

Product overview

RUAG International operates primarily through its space-focused brand Beyond Gravity, which offers a portfolio of satellite and launch vehicle products. The company has completed its strategic shift away from non-space businesses (aerostructures divested to Pilatus in 2025, aviation and defense units restructured), concentrating on the space sector. Beyond Gravity's product portfolio includes Satellites and Launchers divisions providing: satellite structures with high-precision manufacturing capabilities, payload fairings using proprietary out-of-autoclave processes, automated potting machines for satellite panel assembly, dispenser systems for satellite constellation deployment, and electronic components including control and data units. The company also operates the EZYone digital transformation program. Beyond Gravity supports over 100 customers across more than 400 projects globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Beyond Gravity (Space Division Brand)

Quantifiable outcome

• Manufacturing time reduced by 50% and costs reduced by 40% with out-of-autoclave process
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Amazon (Leo Satellite Constellation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Dispenser program for Amazon's Leo satellite constellation. Products used in new launch systems including Vulcan, Ariane, and the dispenser program for Amazon. Production ramp-up in Linköping, Sweden proved demanding but key qualification issues were resolved.
• United Launch AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2017Partnership for carbon fibre structures for Vulcan launch vehicle. RUAG Space produces various carbon fibre structures for the US United Launch Alliance's Vulcan launch vehicle. The contract also includes an expanded role as supplier of payload fairings for the Atlas V launch vehicle.
• OneWebcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Manufacturing of 900 satellite structures for OneWeb satellite internet project, representing the largest series production in satellite construction history. Titusville facility produces structures for up to three satellites per day.
• OHB System AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Continued supply of Control and Data Units for Galileo satellites. RUAG Space has been part of the Galileo program supplying electronics and mechanical products since day one.
• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Long-term cooperation for fuselage structures for A320 family aircraft. RUAG Aerostructures delivered fuselage structures for over 7,000 aircraft in the A320 family. New cooperation agreement for at least five years strengthening the partnership.
• ArianespacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Payload fairings for Ariane launch vehicles including Ariane 5 and Ariane 6. RUAG Space developed the 20-metre tall payload fairing for Ariane 6 maiden flight scheduled for 2020.
• Schneider ElectricminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Technology and automation group where Dr. Barbara Frei-Spreiter served as member of Executive Committee responsible for global Industrial Automation division generating revenue of EUR 7,022 million.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• L3Harris Technologies: U.S. defense prime with growing space business across satellite payloads, antennas, and structural systems. Emerging broad incumbent competing for similar space subsystems programs following its Aerojet Rocketdyne and Harris Corporation mergers.
• Airbus Defence and Space: Large European space prime offering satellite platforms, launch vehicles (ArianeGroup JV), and components across the full value chain. Broad incumbent on Ariane fairings (where RUAG is supplier) and as a satellite prime competing with OHB/Thales for institutional business.
• Lockheed Martin Space: U.S. defense and space prime building satellites, launch systems, and components for NASA and DoD programs. Broad incumbent supplying structural components and competing for the same large institutional programs Beyond Gravity targets through its U.S. footprint.

Emerging players

• Sierra Space: U.S. commercial space company building satellite structures, in-space platforms (Dream Chaser), and components for commercial and defense constellations. Emerging player in satellite structures competing for the same commercial mega-constellation markets Beyond Gravity targets.

Direct peers

• OHB System AG: German-based space systems prime and Beyond Gravity's co-partner on the Galileo satellite program for ESA. OHB supplies satellite platforms and structures competing directly with Beyond Gravity for navigation, Earth observation, and institutional satellite prime contracts.
• Thales Alenia Space: Joint venture of Thales and Leonardo designing and manufacturing space systems including satellite structures, payloads, and orbital systems. Direct peer as a European-based space subsystems prime serving similar ESA and commercial constellations markets; notably RUAG previously divested its Opto-Electronics & Instruments unit to Thales Alenia.
• Ball Aerospace: U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems building satellite structures, instruments and subsystems for civil, defense and commercial space customers. Direct peer in satellite bus structures and high-precision space hardware for NASA/DoD programs.
• MT Aerospace (OHB subsidiary): Subsidiary of OHB AG producing lightweight structures, tank systems, and components for launch vehicles and satellites. Direct peer in payload fairings for Ariane 5/6 (alongside Beyond Gravity) and structures for European launch vehicles.
• Northrop Grumman Space Systems: Through its heritage Orbital ATK business, Northrop Grumman produces payload fairings, composite structures, and dispenser systems for launch vehicles and satellites. Direct peer in payload fairings for U.S. launch systems and satellite structures for U.S. government missions.

Regional players

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: Japanese industrial prime manufacturing H-IIA/H3 launch vehicles and providing payload fairings, structures, and satellite components for the Japanese space program. Regional peer in launch vehicle fairing and structures serving a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ruag_group
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ruag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RUAG