What International Defense & Aerospace Group does

International Defense & Aerospace Group (IDAG) is a privately held aerospace and defense solutions provider founded in 2016 and headquartered in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, with 51-100 employees. The company delivers vertically integrated helicopter lifecycle services — platform sales of refurbished UH-60 Black Hawks and MD Helicopter 500E/530F/530G Block II/520N/600N/902 Explorer airframes, MRO, Service Life Extension Programs, avionics upgrades, pilot training, and consulting — to defense ministries, law enforcement, and commercial operators across North America, Central Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific.

The company's technical moat rests on FAA Restricted Category Type Certificate R00005RC and the VL-60 full glass-cockpit retrofit STC held through its March 2023 acquisition of Ace Aeronautics, which enable civilian operation and modernization of the UH-60. AERO-IDAG Kft in Budapest provides ISO 9001:2015-certified MRO across MD Helicopters, Airbus EC/H135/H145, and AS 350/355 airframes; USATS in Titusville, Florida (formerly Bristow Academy) delivers FAA/EASA pilot training on ELITE PI-42 simulators built on Diamond DA-42 platforms; and IDAG holds official MD Helicopters sales-representative status for Central, Northern, and Eastern Europe plus select Middle East/Asia Pacific markets.

The business model layers one-time platform sales (refurbished helicopters), recurring multi-year MRO and logistics contracts (e.g., Hungarian Defense Forces H145M support for 20 helicopters, Austrian Air Force UH-60 SLEP), professional services for training and consulting, and transaction-based spare-parts sales. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting defense ministries and government agencies, supplemented by trade-show presence at HAI HELI-EXPO, MSPO Kielce, ILA Berlin, and the Vietnam Defence Show, plus a transactional online aircraft shop. Pricing is quote-based against multi-year contracts; the company has no disclosed funding rounds and is founder-managed, implying self-funded growth.

Name

International Defense & Aerospace Group

Legal name

International Defense & Aerospace Group

Website

https://idagcorp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IDAG is a privately held US aerospace and defense solutions firm specializing in helicopter lifecycle services — refurbished UH-60 and MD Helicopter sales, certified MRO, modernization, pilot training, and consulting — serving military, government, and commercial aviation operators across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Aerospace Services and Helicopter Lifecycle Solutions

NAICS

Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (811210), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

Parts Distribution & Spares Management (Aftermarket) (IMABALAK)

Keywords

• Helicopter modernization
• Military pilot training
• Aircraft maintenance repair
• Rotorcraft platform sales
• Aviation consulting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Glen Mills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Aircraft Platform Sales: IDAG sells new and certified pre-owned helicopters including UH-60 Black Hawks and MD 500 series aircraft. Platforms are often refurbished with upgraded systems and certified in FAA restricted category for civilian operations.
2. Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO): Certified maintenance and repair services at facilities worldwide, supporting various airframes including MD Helicopters 500/530/902, Airbus EC/H135/H145, and AS 350/355.
3. Flight Training Services: Pilot training programs ranging from ab initio to advanced mission scenarios for both military and commercial aviation. Training conducted at USATS facilities in Florida and multiple European locations.
4. Modernization & Upgrade Programs: Service Life Extension (SLEP) and modernization programs including glass cockpit installations, engine upgrades, and mission kit modifications to extend platform utility.
5. Spare Parts Sales: Genuine spare parts inventory for MD 500/530F series helicopters sourced directly from OEMs, offering rapid availability through robust supply chain and strategic partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

International Defense & Aerospace Group (IDAG) provides full-lifecycle aerospace and defense solutions centered on rotary-wing platforms, including mission-needs consulting, refurbished helicopter platform sales (Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and MD Helicopters 500/520/530/600/902 series), platform customization with mission equipment integration, ab initio to advanced pilot training (military and commercial), certified MRO at owned facilities in the US and Europe, and Service Life Extension / modernization programs. The company operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries AERO-IDAG (Hungary), USATS (Florida flight training), and Ace Aeronautics (Alabama UH-60 refurbishment).

Product overview

International Defense & Aerospace Group (IDAG) operates as a diversified aviation solutions provider with a portfolio of subsidiaries and services. The core company provides platform sales, consulting, customization, training, maintenance, and modernization services. Key subsidiaries include AERO-IDAG (helicopter maintenance and repair in Budapest), USATS (flight training in Florida), and Ace Aeronautics (Blackhawk refurbishment). IDAG serves as official sales representative for MD Helicopters across Europe and select regions, offering the complete MD 500 series including MD 500E, MD 530F, Cayuse Warrior, MD 530G BII, MD 520N, MD 600N, and MD 902 Explorer. Additionally, IDAG sells Sikorsky UH-60A+ and UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters with FAA restricted category certification. The company also provides Pilatus PC-9 training aircraft and ELITE PI-42 flight simulators through partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sikorsky UH-60A+ BlackHawk Refurbished 1980-manufactured UH-60A+ BlackHawk helicopter with upgraded avionics (Garmin 750s) and ADS-B out transponder, certified in FAA Restricted Category for civilian operations. Marketed to military, law enforcement, firefighting, and utility operators globally.
• Sikorsky UH-60L BlackHawk Refurbished 1985-manufactured UH-60L BlackHawk helicopter powered by T700-GE-701D engines, with upgraded Garmin 750s avionics and ADS-B out transponder. Sold with FAA Restricted Category Type Certificate.
• MD 500E Helicopter Light utility helicopter with a five-bladed main rotor and 420-shp or 450-shp Rolls-Royce turbine engine, marketed for highest speed, payload, and productivity in its class.
• MD 530F Helicopter High-altitude helicopter equipped with a 650 shp Rolls-Royce 250-C30 engine, optimized for hot-day and high-altitude operations.
• MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Armed light scout attack helicopter with increased operational capabilities and superior performance across a broad range of mission profiles.
• MD 530G Block II Light scout attack helicopter equipped with Elbit Systems Integrated Weapons Systems (IWS) including advanced weapons and a mission management system.
• MD 520N Helicopter Light helicopter featuring MD Helicopters' exclusive NOTAR anti-torque system for enhanced safety and reduced noise in confined and populated areas.
• MD 600N Helicopter Multi-role helicopter with a six-bladed main rotor system and NOTAR anti-torque system, offering superior agility and smooth operation.
• MD 902 Explorer Multipurpose twin-engine helicopter marketed for performance, affordability, dependability, and safety across light and medium-twin engine operations.
• Pilatus PC-9 Advanced Trainer Aircraft Advanced turbo trainer aircraft with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62 turboprop engine delivering 950 shaft horsepower, capable of 320 knots and acrobatic flight with -3.5G to +7.0G loads. IDAG integrates customized avionics including Garmin G3X and Garmin GTN 650 systems for ADS-B compliance.
• ELITE PI-42 Flight Simulator High-fidelity flight simulator based on Diamond DA-42 aircraft with E1000 glass cockpit instrumentation, GFC700-equivalent autopilot, worldwide visual scenery database, and an interchangeable central console for single-engine aircraft conversion.
• MD 500/530F Spare Parts Supply Genuine OEM spare parts inventory for all MD 500/530F series helicopters, with rapid availability through a robust supply chain and strategic partnerships. Sold via inquiry-based ordering.
• Mission-Driven Consulting Services Platform-agnostic advisory and consulting services that begin with detailed mission-needs analysis to develop efficient, cost-effective solutions. Leverages relationships with major OEMs and industry-leading aftermarket providers.
• Platform Customization Services Customization of helicopter platforms and selection of mission equipment for military, law enforcement, rescue, firefighting, and utility operations, developed in cooperation with customer representatives.
• Pilot Training Services Flight training programs from ab initio through advanced mission scenarios for both military and commercial pilots, with FAA and EASA certifications for fixed-wing and rotary-wing students. Delivered through USATS in Titusville, Florida and additional European locations.
• Certified Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Certified maintenance and repair operations at facilities worldwide, covering MD Helicopters 500/530/902, Airbus EC/H135/H145, and AS 350/355 airframes. ISO 9001:2015 certified with state-of-the-art logistics and inventory management systems.
• Service Life Extension & Modernization Programs Service Life Extension Programs (SLEP) and modernization upgrades including paint, deep overhaul, genset replacement, digital cockpit installations, and mission kit integration. Delivered through Ace Aeronautics for UH-60 platforms with FAA Restricted Category Type Certificate and VL-60 full glass cockpit retrofit STC.

Quantifiable outcome

• Service Life Extension increases utility value of existing helicopters

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ace AeronauticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2023IDAG acquired Ace Aeronautics, LLC based in Guntersville, Alabama on March 8, 2023. Ace is a premier design organization and MRO facility providing UH-60 Black Hawk Service Life Extension and upgrades, including FAA Restricted Category Type Certificate R00005RC and VL-60 full glass cockpit retrofit STC. The acquisition added vertically integrated supply chain capabilities for IDAG.
• ELITE (Swiss Flight Training Devices Manufacturer)coreTechnology or Integration · 4 April 2022IDAG selected ELITE PI-42 Flight Simulator based on Diamond DA-42 aircraft for USATS flight school in Titusville, Florida. Working together to bring the first PI-42 simulator into US market and obtain FAA approval to AATD level.
• HeliQwest InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2022Partnership to provide firefighting support in Australia using IDAG-refurbished UH-60A Blackhawk equipped with external firefighting tank for rapid fire suppression missions. Both companies are industry-leading global aviation companies focused on delivering complex solutions for challenging environments.
• LIMA, SP, and WORKS 11minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for static displays at MSPO Kielce, Poland International Defense Industry Exhibition with MD 500E and MD 530F helicopters.
• ACE (Aeroplex of Central Europe)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHungarian partner for cooperation at MRO Europe 2021 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Booth built in cooperation to connect with MRO field experts.
• MD Helicopters LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIDAG has been a proud official sales representative for MD Helicopters in Central, Northern, Eastern Europe and selected countries in Middle East, Asia and Pacific.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• StandardAero: One of the largest independent aerospace MRO providers globally, with a significant helicopter engine, component, and airframe MRO business. Directly competes with IDAG's AERO-IDAG and Ace Aeronautics subsidiaries for helicopter MRO and modernization contracts across military and commercial operators.
• PHI Aviation: Major helicopter operator providing offshore, medical, and aviation services with in-house MRO capabilities. Overlaps with IDAG in helicopter fleet support, parts supply, and operator training for commercial and emergency service customers.
• Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group: UK-based provider of military aircraft MRO, modification, and modernization services with deep defense ministry relationships. Comparable to IDAG's combination of military platform support, MRO, and engineering services for government customers.
• Bristow Group: Global helicopter services operator with significant rotary-wing fleet management, MRO, and training operations. Comparable to IDAG in vertically integrated rotorcraft services for government, offshore, and search-and-rescue markets.
• Vector Aerospace: A helicopter-focused MRO specialist (now part of StandardAero) with global engine and airframe services across platforms including the same Sikorsky and MD Helicopters types IDAG supports. Provides a benchmark for IDAG's potential MRO scale trajectory.
• Sabena technics: Independent European aerospace MRO provider offering airframe, component, and engine maintenance for military and commercial operators. Comparable to IDAG's multi-jurisdiction MRO footprint and government customer mix.
• Heli-One (CHC Helicopter): Helicopter MRO specialist serving civilian and military operators worldwide, including heavy maintenance, modifications, and component repair. Directly comparable to AERO-IDAG's helicopter MRO offering across multiple airframes and geographies.

Broad incumbents

• CAE: Global leader in aviation training services, including rotary-wing simulator-based pilot training for military and commercial operators. While much larger than USATS, CAE competes for the same military ab initio and mission training programs that IDAG's USATS subsidiary targets.
• Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin): OEM of the UH-60 Black Hawk and a tier-one prime contractor for military helicopter sustainment, training, and modernization. Competes with IDAG in UH-60 SLEP and aftermarket services, but also enables IDAG as the underlying source of surplus airframes and technical data.
• Airbus Helicopters: Major helicopter OEM offering comprehensive MRO, training, and modernization services across its civil and military product lines (H145, H135, AS350/355). Competes with AERO-IDAG for Airbus platform MRO contracts and USATS for Airbus training programs, while also being a customer of IDAG's H145M logistics support work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-defense-aerospace-group-idag

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 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 International Defense & Aerospace Group