J.F. Taylor, Inc

What J.F. Taylor, Inc does

J.F. Taylor, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned U.S. defense contractor founded in 1983 by retired U.S. Navy Commander John F. Taylor, Sr. The company designs, engineers, manufactures, and integrates advanced mission and training systems for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied forces, with a portfolio centered on flight simulation hardware and software, avionics systems, unmanned and maritime systems, and ground-based training devices. Core technical offerings include proprietary control loading systems (force feedback flight sticks and pedals with brushless motors and harmonic drives), the BTIO50 USB/Ethernet interface card, fidelity-tiered flight controls (FC0500–FC3000), and software frameworks such as InstructorHub (instructor station) and Rook (Live-Virtual-Constructive distributed training). The company supports more than 20 military aircraft platforms including the F-35, F-22, F-16, F/A-18, AH-64, CH-47, CH-53, and UH-60, and is AS9100D:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 certified across its Maryland and Missouri facilities.

The business operates primarily as a prime contractor on DoD Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicles including Trainer Developer II (TDII), OASIS SB, and the Navy's Training Systems Contract IV (TSC IV), and as a subcontractor to major defense primes such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, L3Harris, and BAE Systems. Revenue is generated through long-term, multi-year, competitively bid task orders for engineering services, build-to-print manufacturing, custom component fabrication, and full trainer delivery. The company maintains four primary facilities: a 100,000 sq ft headquarters in Great Mills, MD (Cecil's Mill Facility), a Services Engineering Center in Lexington Park, MD, the Idea Center Facility in Beavercreek, OH (near Wright-Patterson AFB), and a 20,000 sq ft manufacturing site in Union, MO (acquired via Bugeye Technologies in April 2025), totaling more than 280,000 sq ft of operational footprint.

J.F. Taylor has pursued a self-funded growth strategy combining organic contract wins with bolt-on acquisitions of complementary defense simulation firms — most notably Clear Creek Applied Technologies (CCAT) in April 2024 and Bugeye Technologies in April 2025. Recent contract awards include a $17.9M CH-53K CNI Maintenance Trainer for the U.S. Marine Corps (December 2025), a Flight Attendant Fuselage Trainer for the USAF 89th Airlift Wing, and over $88M in cumulative TDII awards in the past five years. The company employs 500+ people as of 2019 (likely higher post-acquisitions), generated $150M in annual revenue in its last disclosed year, and is led by Chairman John F. Taylor, Sr., CEO Wayne Taylor, and a tenured executive team averaging 20+ years of company tenure.

Name

J.F. Taylor, Inc

Legal name

J.F. Taylor, Inc.

Website

https://jfti.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

J.F. Taylor is a family-owned U.S. defense contractor founded in 1983 that designs, engineers, and manufactures advanced mission and training systems — including flight simulators, control loading hardware, avionics, and Live-Virtual-Constructive software — for the U.S. Department of Defense and major defense primes across 20+ military platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Simulation & Training Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Avionics, Mission Computers & Flight Controls (IMABAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK), Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) & Avionics Computing Platforms (IMABAFAI), Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms (IMABAMAC)

Keywords

• Defense simulation systems
• Flight training systems
• Military avionics integration
• Aircraft modification services
• Engineering fabrication services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lexington Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Defense Contract Services: The company generates revenue through various DoD contract vehicles including TDII (Trainer Developer II), OASIS SB, and TSC IV. These are typically multi-year, IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) contracts for mission and training systems development and delivery.
2. Simulation Hardware Products: Sale of simulation hardware products including flight controls, cockpits, control loading systems, panels, and components for fixed wing and rotary aircraft platforms.
3. Acquisition Integration: Strategic acquisitions (CCAT in 2024, Bugeye Technologies in 2025) expand capabilities and portfolio of training and mission support solutions for DoD and international partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

J.F. Taylor, Inc. designs, engineers, and manufactures advanced mission and training systems for the U.S. Department of Defense, specializing in flight simulation hardware and software, avionics integration, unmanned and maritime systems, and custom electro-mechanical assemblies. The company delivers full-mission flight simulators, control loading systems, reconfigurable cockpit trainers, and avionics products supporting 20+ military aircraft platforms. Its portfolio includes government prime contracts, subcontracts to defense primes, and proprietary software frameworks for distributed training.

Product overview

J.F. Taylor, Inc. is a defense solutions provider offering flight simulation and training systems for the U.S. Department of Defense. The company provides a unified portfolio of hardware and software products centered around military simulation and training solutions. Core offerings include Simulation & Training Systems (manned/unmanned flight simulators, ground vehicle trainers, shipboard systems), Avionics Systems & Aircraft Modifications, Unmanned & Maritime Systems, and Ground-Based Systems. Through the Bugeye Technologies acquisition, the company expanded its hardware portfolio to include cockpit replicas, flight controls (control sticks, throttles, cyclics, collectives, yokes, rudder pedals), and avionics panels across multiple fidelity levels (FC0500 through FC3000) supporting platforms including AH-64, F-35, F-16, F/A-18, C-130, B-52, CH-47, and UH-60. Software offerings include InstructorHub (instructor station software for scenario control and performance tracking) and Rook (distributed training framework for Live-Virtual-Constructive interoperability). The Reconfigurable Advanced Mission Trainer (RAMT) and Mission Utilization Tactical Trainer (MUTT) represent advanced modular cockpit platforms. Additional products include BTIO50 interface cards for system integration and specialized training devices like the CH-53K CNI Maintenance Trainer and Flight Attendant Fuselage Trainer.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bugeye Technologies Powered by JF Taylor: Acquired brand operating as a subsidiary, specializing in simulated hardware and custom electro-mechanical assemblies for aviation and simulation/training applications, including cockpits, control sticks, throttles, cyclics, collectives, yokes, and rudder pedals.

Products and services

• Simulation & Training Systems Manned and unmanned flight simulators for training pilots on advanced military technologies, plus trainers for Army ground vehicles, Navy shipboard systems, and military maintenance and weapons training systems. For the U.S. Department of Defense.
• Avionics Systems & Aircraft Modifications Design, fabrication, and integration of military avionics including communication, navigation, and computational systems for fixed and rotary aircraft, plus custom test instrumentation and flight-worthy cable harnesses. For military customers.
• Unmanned & Maritime Systems C5ISR (Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems for U.S. Navy unmanned and maritime platforms. For U.S. Navy customers.
• Ground-Based Systems Ground-based control systems, test facilities, and laboratories for military communication, navigation, and warfighter critical systems. For the U.S. military.
• Build to Print Assemblies Manufacturing services producing assemblies to customer specifications for military applications. For defense customers.
• Engineering & Fabrication Electrical, mechanical, and software component development and integration for military systems, including rapid prototyping and large-scale production. For defense customers.
• InstructorHub Unclassified instructor software framework providing real-time ownship scenario control, live data capture for grading, oversight for up to 100 simulators, and adaptive instruction scaling mission complexity. For military training programs.
• Rook Scalable simulation framework enabling Live-Virtual-Constructive interoperability for joint and coalition networks, with rapid integration of aircraft systems and mission data. For joint and coalition training programs.
• Mission Utilization Tactical Trainer (MUTT) High-fidelity compact modular cockpit supporting multiple F-35 variants, designed for rapid deployment. For military pilot training.
• Reconfigurable Advanced Mission Trainer (RAMT) Reconfigurable cockpit platform designed for center stick and side stick aircraft including F-35, F-15EX, and T-38C. Breaks down for 2-person carry with tool-less assembly. For military pilot training.
• BTIO50 USB/Ethernet Card User-selectable USB/Ethernet interface card for J.F. Taylor flight control products, available as standalone interface device for fixed wing and rotorcraft cockpits. For flight simulation integrators.
• Bugeye Flight Simulation Hardware Simulation hardware including cockpits, control sticks, throttles, cyclics, collectives, yokes, rudder pedals, and control loading systems at multiple fidelity levels (FC0500, FC1000, FC2000, FC3000) from desktop to full mission trainers, supporting 20+ platforms. For defense simulation customers.
• Fixed Wing Products Simulation products for fixed-wing aircraft including B-52, C-130, F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-35, T-6 Texan II platforms. For military pilot training.
• Rotocraft Products Simulation products for rotary-wing aircraft including AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook, CH-53, UH-60 Black Hawk, V-22 Osprey platforms. For military pilot training.
• M1A2 Abrams Training Solutions Training solutions for M1A2 Abrams main battle tank including CROWS Handle and Commander Control Handle for ground combat vehicle operators. For U.S. Army ground vehicle training.
• Control Loading System Force feedback mechanism for flight simulation providing force feedback to primary controls with stand-alone or pilot/co-pilot synchronized operation. For flight simulator integrators.
• Control Loaded Pedal Assembly Force feedback pedals for military and commercial flight simulation using brushless motors, harmonic drives, and high-resolution sensors with USB and Ethernet output. For flight simulator integrators.
• CH-53K CNI Maintenance Trainer Maintenance trainer for the CH-53K helicopter covering design, fabrication, integration, delivery, installation, test, support, and training. For the U.S. Marine Corps.
• Flight Attendant Fuselage Trainer (FA FuT) Training devices for the USAF 89th Airlift Wing supporting flight attendant training on Gulfstream and Boeing aircraft. For the U.S. Air Force.
• Deployable Fighter Training Ecosystem Scalable family of rapidly deployable software-agnostic fighter training solutions featuring Mission Utilization Tactical Trainer (MUTT), Reconfigurable Advanced Mission Trainer (RAMT), and deployable desktop flight trainers. For military fighter pilot training.
• Air Force Simulation & Test Simulation and test services and products for the U.S. Air Force, including distributed trainer development and avionics mission systems support. For the U.S. Air Force.
• Custom Components Custom-manufactured components for defense applications. For defense integrators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 years serving the defense industry
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers19 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

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• By LightcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2025By Light serves as team member on CH-53K CNI Maintenance Trainer contract. By Light has delivered and supported simulated flight trainers for the Marine Corps for 20 years. Partnership combines JF Taylor's manufacturing capabilities with By Light's simulation trainer expertise. Work performed at JF Taylor's Great Mills facility and By Light's McLean headquarters.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CAE Inc. Global leader in civil and military flight simulation and training, including pilot training systems and services for defense customers. Direct competitor on DoD training systems contracts and listed as one of J.F. Taylor's enterprise customers, illustrating direct overlap on multiple platforms.
• Quantum3D: Provider of image generation, visual computing, and simulation hardware for military training and testing. Comparable in building underlying visual/computing technology that powers flight simulators.
• Frasca International: Manufacturer of flight simulation equipment and training devices for civil and military markets. Comparable mid-sized flight simulator hardware maker competing in similar fixed- and rotary-wing trainer niches.
• Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim): Developer of simulation software and virtual worlds for military training, with overlap in Live-Virtual-Constructive environments. Listed as a J.F. Taylor collaboration partner, reflecting parallel offerings in defense simulation software.

Broad incumbents

• FlightSafety International: Subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway / partnered with defense training customers, providing flight simulation devices and pilot training services. Operates at much larger scale but in the same defense and high-fidelity simulator category.
• L3Harris Technologies: Major defense prime with extensive simulation and training solutions, including military flight trainers and integrated live-virtual-constructive systems. Competes with J.F. Taylor for DoD training contracts while also being a customer for simulation products.
• Collins Aerospace (RTX): Aerospace and defense incumbent providing simulation, training, and avionics products for military and commercial platforms. Overlaps with J.F. Taylor on avionics integration, flight controls, and trainer hardware across fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.
• Leidos: Large defense and IT services prime with significant simulation, training, and avionics modernization work. Competes with J.F. Taylor on DoD training and engineering services contracts at a much larger scale.

Regional players

• Scientific Research Corporation: U.S. defense engineering and integration firm with a significant footprint in simulation, training, and C5ISR programs. Similar mid-sized DoD solutions provider competing for engineering and training task orders.

Emerging players

• Aechelon Technology: Specialty provider of high-fidelity image generators integrated into military flight simulators. J.F. Taylor is integrating Aechelon technology into its 5th-generation unclassified simulation framework, signaling direct technology overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/j.f.-taylor-inc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries2 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 J.F. Taylor, Inc