What Long Wave Inc. does

Long Wave Inc. is a privately held small business defense contractor headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, specializing in mission-critical Command, Control, and Communications (C3) solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense and select federal civilian agencies. The company's domain expertise centers on Very Low Frequency (VLF), Low Frequency (LF), and High Frequency (HF) communication systems, Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3), and military simulation and training. Its customer base spans the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Department of Homeland Security, with operational and depot maintenance work performed at 10+ global military installations including Joint Base Andrews, Ascension Island, Diego Garcia, Guam, Hawaii, Lajes, Offutt AFB, Puerto Rico, Sigonella, and Yokota Air Base.

The company's technology portfolio is anchored by the proprietary Long Wave Simulation System (LWSS), a high-level architecture (HLA)–compliant simulation ecosystem per IEEE 1516-2010 that integrates voice and data communications, an air vehicle emulator, and an instructor/operator station. Around LWSS, Long Wave packages Weapons Systems Trainers (WST), Battlestaff WST (BST), Basic Service Communication Tool (BSCT), Mobile LWSS, and a library of subsystem emulations covering FAB-T, MR-TCDL, CML, TXP-A, MPS, KGR-72, MMRT, MAPS, UHF SATCOM, and VLF Transmit Terminal (VTT). These trainers support E-6B Mission Avionics Systems Trainers at CNATT Detachment Tinker AFB and are deployed with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Seven (VQ-7) and STRATCOM. Adjacent offerings include NC3 full-fidelity trainers, TIMS engineering and tower installation/maintenance services, S1000D-compliant training and publications, Cyber Solutions (offensive/defensive cyber, distributed computing, AI/ML, NLP), and Digital Solutions (agile transformation, bespoke application development).

Long Wave generates revenue primarily through federal government contracts, operating as both a prime contractor and subcontractor under IDIQ, firm-fixed-price, and cost-plus-fee vehicles. Major awards include a seven-year, $112.6 million Air Force High Frequency Global Communications System (HFGCS) Antenna Program Support III contract and a $84 million Navy VLF/LF Fixed Submarine Broadcast System (FSBS) antenna architecture support IDIQ contract from NIWC Pacific, both secured in 2023. The company is also a member of the Northrop Grumman–led team (with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Raytheon Intelligence & Space, and Crescent Systems) pursuing the U.S. Navy's E-XX TACAMO aircraft program, and has begun a measured push into commercial markets (infrastructure, communications, industrial systems) via a dedicated Commercial Operations Director.

Name

Long Wave Inc.

Legal name

Long Wave Inc.

Website

https://longwaveinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Long Wave Inc. is an Oklahoma City-based small business defense contractor providing mission-critical VLF/LF/HF communications, NC3 systems, simulation and training, and tower installation services to the U.S. Department of Defense and federal agencies worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Communications and Engineering Services

NAICS

Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (81121), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction (237130)

SIC

Communications Equipment, Nec (3669), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Power Supplies, RF/Microwave Components & Ruggedized Electronics (IMABAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Military Aerospace Ground Support Equipment (GSE) & Test Systems (IMABAMAL), Electronic Warfare (EW) & Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Systems (IMABAOAB)

Keywords

• Defense communications
• Command control systems
• Military training simulators
• Antenna installation services
• NC3 communications

Headquarters

HQ city

Oklahoma City

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, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Defense Government Contracts: Long Wave Inc. generates revenue primarily through defense government contracts as both a Prime contractor and subcontractor. The company holds multiple IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity) contracts and has secured major contracts including a $112.6M Air Force contract for HF Antenna Program Support and an $84M Navy contract for VLF/LF Antenna Program Support. Revenue is derived from engineering services, software development, hardware installation, simulation and training, tower installation and maintenance, and program management services.
2. Commercial Operations: The company is expanding into commercial markets including infrastructure, communications, industrial systems, and defense applications through a Commercial Operations Director & General Manager role focused on manufacturing and production of high-quality products and solutions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Long Wave Inc. is a defense contractor providing mission-critical Command, Control, and Communications (C3) solutions for the U.S. government, specializing in Very Low Frequency (VLF), Low Frequency (LF), and High Frequency (HF) communication systems. The company delivers simulation and training systems (Long Wave Simulation System, Weapons Systems Trainers), NC3 communications engineering, antenna and tower installation/maintenance services, cyber and digital solutions, and turnkey engineering services primarily to the Department of Defense, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, FEMA, and Homeland Security.

Product overview

Long Wave Inc. is a Small Business defense contractor offering mission-critical C3 (Command, Control, and Communications) solutions through an integrated portfolio of products and services. The core product offerings center on the Long Wave Simulation System (LWSS) ecosystem, which includes Weapons Systems Trainers (WST), Battlestaff WST (BST), Basic Service Communication Tool (BSCT), and Subsystem Emulations for military aviation training. Supporting these training systems are NC3 Full-Fidelity Trainers for military personnel certification. The services portfolio includes TIMS Engineering Services (antenna and tower installation/maintenance), Digital Solutions (agile transformation and bespoke applications), Cyber Solutions (offensive/defensive cyber technologies), Training and Publications (S1000D-compliant curriculum development), and Antenna and Tower Services (VLF/LF/HF communication systems). The company operates primarily as a government contractor serving the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, FEMA, and Homeland Security.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SIMTEC: Long Wave Simulation System (LWSS) - comprehensive solution for mission avionics training and communication suite testing
• TIMS

Products and services

• Long Wave Simulation System (LWSS) A comprehensive simulation solution for mission avionics training and communication suite testing, providing integrated voice and data communications, an air vehicle emulator, and an instructor/operator station. Used by the U.S. Navy to enhance E-6B Mission Avionics Systems Trainers (MASTs) and by NAVAIR ASCET for stress-testing Systems Integration Labs.
• Weapons Systems Trainers (WST) Advanced training devices for military personnel that reutilize operational software and emulate real systems, creating adaptive virtualized training tailored to student needs. Used by Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Seven (VQ-7) including systems at Tinker AFB fully immersing trainees in E-6B operations.
• Battlestaff WST (BST) Custom-designed battlestaff weapon systems trainer for Strategic Command (STRATCOM) to train Airborne Command Post crews, reflecting the space constraints of the aircraft while integrating specialized virtual emulations.
• Basic Service Communication Tool (BSCT) A Single Subsystem Framework that brings the real-world communications suite of a platform to training environments, offering medium fidelity combining limited Power and Control functionality with Cryptographic Devices for cost-effective individual trainee simulation.
• Subsystem Emulations Emulation models for various military communication subsystems including FAB-T, MR-TCDL, CML, TXP-A, MPS, KGR-72, MMRT, MAPS, UHF SATCOM, and VLF Transmit Terminal (VTT). Can also re-host actual aircraft software as Government-Furnished Equipment.
• Mobile LWSS A mobile version of the Long Wave Simulation System designed for easy transportation to aircraft for system testing and evaluation, combining all LWSS functions into one operator-oriented case with HLA capabilities per IEEE 1516-2010.
• NC3 Full-Fidelity Trainers Mission-critical software and hardware full-fidelity trainers supporting both operational and maintenance activities for military personnel certification. Offers realistic simulations for threat monitoring, tactical training exercises, and intelligence integration with sensing, connectivity, AI, and data fusion capabilities.
• TIMS Engineering Services (Tower Installation and Maintenance) Comprehensive engineering analysis with complete survey/assessment to design and installation services for VLF/LF/HF antenna systems worldwide, including turn-key solutions, maintenance, and technical support. Includes design, installation, overhaul, removal, repair, preventative maintenance, and training for various antenna applications.
• Digital Solutions Agile transformation services and bespoke application development, leveraging cutting-edge analytics to modernize applications, infrastructure, and business processes, converting data into actionable insights for clients.
• Cyber Solutions Top-tier cyber technologies enabling clients to execute offensive and defensive operations, protect critical infrastructure, and sustain information superiority. Includes software development, distributed computing, modeling and simulation, AI, machine learning, and NLP capabilities.
• Training and Publications Development and modernization of training and publications using S1000D standard to support NC3 platforms. Includes comprehensive, high-fidelity training curriculums, detailed technical publications, and curriculum development for various training needs (ILT, CAI, SCORM, xAPI, LMS).

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero accidents over five-year period with safety record of no lost time due to accidents
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Northrop Grumman CorporationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2023Northrop Grumman Corporation is partnering with Long Wave, along with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Raytheon Intelligence & Space, and Crescent Systems, to develop a solution for the U.S. Navy's E-XX TACAMO requirement. The E-XX will be a competitively bid contract with an expected award date in early 2025. The E-XX TACAMO aircraft will be based on the C-130J platform and provides connectivity between the National Command Authority and ballistic submarines capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
• Lockheed Martin Skunk WorksflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2023Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, known for advanced aircraft development, is part of the team pursuing the U.S. Navy's E-XX TACAMO program with Long Wave providing strategic communications expertise.
• Raytheon Intelligence & SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2023Raytheon Intelligence & Space is part of the team pursuing the U.S. Navy's E-XX TACAMO program, providing intelligence and space systems expertise to the partnership.
• Crescent Systems, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2023Crescent Systems, Inc. is part of the team pursuing the U.S. Navy's E-XX TACAMO program, contributing systems integration expertise.
• Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC Pacific)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIWC Pacific awarded Long Wave a sole source contract for VLF/LF Fixed Submarine Broadcast System (FSBS) antenna architecture support. This is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee IDIQ contract with a 3-year base and 2-year option period with maximum potential value of $84 million.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Draken International: Provides adversary air training and tactical aviation support to DoD. Adjacent to Long Wave's training systems business — both sell high-fidelity training environments to DoD, though Draken focuses on airborne adversary rather than comms/avionics simulators.
• ANELLO Photonics: Defense-focused startup developing silicon photonics-based navigation and sensing for GPS-denied environments. Emerging player in the ruggedized defense electronics / PNT space adjacent to Long Wave's NC3 / strategic communications work.

Broad incumbents

• Parsons Corporation: Engineering and defense services provider covering critical infrastructure, communications, and missile defense. Comparable to Long Wave's antenna / tower installation and systems engineering work, but at much broader scope.
• Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC): Large federal-services integrator with deep Navy / Air Force communications and training systems programs. Comparable to Long Wave's overall NC3 / mission engineering portfolio but operating at much larger scale and full-solution integration.
• CACI International: Federal services and IT company with significant DoD C4, electronic warfare, and intelligence work. Comparable to Long Wave in NC3-adjacent defense services but with much broader portfolio and scale.
• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: Mid-cap defense company with a sizable Unmanned Systems, Microwave Electronics, and C5ISR / training solutions business. Comparable to Long Wave through its RF/microwave and tactical communications exposure, though Kratos is far broader and larger.
• Leidos Holdings: Major DoD IT, engineering, and systems integrator with a Defense Solutions business covering C4ISR, electronic warfare, and mission training. Comparable scope to Long Wave's C3 / NC3 / training work but at massive scale.

Direct peers

• Comtech Telecommunications Corp. Supplies satellite and ground-based communications, including high-power amplifier systems and tactical/strategic comms, and provides sustainment for DoD HF/VHF/UHF networks. Closely aligned with Long Wave's HF/VLF/LF antenna and communications sustainment work.
• Mercury Systems: Specializes in RF, microwave, and digital processing subsystems for defense applications including electronic warfare, signals intelligence, and mission-critical communications. Closest peer to Long Wave's ruggedized RF / antenna systems work, though Mercury is much larger and product-focused rather than services-focused.
• Cubic Corporation: Provides realistic training systems, including air combat and aviation training, alongside mission solutions. Directly comparable to Long Wave's LWSS / WST / BST training-systems portfolio and NC3 training capability.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/long-wave

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Long Wave Inc.