What Sector Microwave Industries does

Sector Microwave Industries (SMI) is a privately held US manufacturer of high-reliability electromechanical microwave switches, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Deer Park, New York. The company designs and produces waveguide switches (WR10 through WR970 plus double-ridge), coaxial switches (SM7, SM7N, 7Rx, 7Sx, 7Dx series), and dual waveguide/coaxial combination switches, offered in standard, sealed, and sheltered configurations with multiple flange and connector options. Its space-qualified switch line, in production since 1985, has never experienced an in-space failure across 350,000+ units manufactured since inception, and SMI components have been integrated into virtually every NASA deep-space mission since the 1996 Mars Global Surveyor, including Cassini, Juno, New Horizons, OSIRIS-REx, LUCY, NISAR, Solar Dynamics Observatory, Mars 2020 Perseverance, Psyche, and Europa Clipper.

The underlying technology centers on DPDT (double-pole double-throw) latching and failsafe switch architectures with manual override, designed to operate across -35°C to +65°C with storage from -50°C to +85°C, and to survive vacuum, radiation, and multi-decade mission durations. Configurable features include multiple flange types (CPRG, CPRF, O-Ring, Plain), RoHS compliance, and TTL/TA circuit options for position indication.

SMI operates a direct-to-customer sales model anchored by phone, email, and a website catalog download, supplemented by an international representative network covering France, Norway, Israel, Italy, Spain, the DACH region, and China (OEM). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with revenue generated primarily through hardware sales of switches and custom switch manufacturing. The company serves two principal segments: a primary space/aerospace vertical (NASA and international space agencies) and a secondary commercial/military communications vertical (ground-based radar, satellite ground stations, outdoor/sealed deployments).

Name

Sector Microwave Industries

Legal name

Sector Microwave Industries

Website

https://sectormicrowave.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sector Microwave Industries is a privately held US manufacturer founded in 1974 that designs and produces high-reliability electromechanical waveguide and coaxial switches for NASA deep-space missions, defense, and commercial communications customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

RF and Microwave Switches

NAICS

Electronic Connector Manufacturing (334417)

SIC

Electronic Connectors (3678)

akta.pro primary industry

RF & Microwave Connectors and Coaxial Assemblies (HDAHAOAD)

Keywords

• Electromechanical microwave switches
• Waveguide switch manufacturing
• Coaxial RF switches
• Space-qualified switches
• High-reliability aerospace components

Headquarters

HQ city

Deer Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Microwave Switch Hardware Sales: Sale of electromechanical microwave switches including waveguide switches, coaxial switches, and dual waveguide/coaxial switches. Products available in standard, sealed, and sheltered configurations. Custom switch manufacturing available upon request.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Sector Microwave Industries manufactures and sells high-reliability electromechanical microwave switches for waveguide, coaxial, and dual waveguide/coaxial applications. The product line spans WR10 through WR970 waveguide frequencies and includes standard, sealed (outdoor-rated), and sheltered configurations, with custom manufacturing available for space, aerospace, defense, and commercial communications customers.

Product overview

Sector Microwave Industries is a hardware manufacturer specializing in high-reliability electromechanical microwave switches. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of waveguide switches (WR10 through WR970 series), coaxial switches (SM7, SM7N, 7Rx, 7Sx, 7Dx series), and dual waveguide/coaxial combination switches (WG-Coax series). The product line includes standard, sealed (outdoor-rated), and sheltered configurations, with various flange types (CPRG, CPRF, O-Ring, Plain) and connector options (SMA, BNC, N-type). The switches feature DPDT configurations, latching or failsafe operation, manual override capability, and are designed for space, aerospace, and commercial microwave applications. The company has a notable Space Heritage program with switches deployed on NASA missions including Mars rovers, Jupiter probes, Saturn missions, and deep space exploration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WR10-15 Series Waveguide Switches Waveguide switches covering the WR10 to WR15 frequency range series, designed for high-reliability microwave switching applications in space and commercial environments.
• WR19-28 Series Waveguide Switches Waveguide switches covering the WR19 to WR28 frequency range series, engineered for reliable RF path switching in microwave systems.
• WR34-51 Series Waveguide Switches Waveguide switches covering the WR34 to WR51 frequency range series, suitable for various microwave communication applications.
• WR62-90 Series Waveguide Switches Waveguide switches covering the WR62 to WR90 frequency range series, designed for microwave frequency applications.
• WR102-137 Series Waveguide Switches Waveguide switches covering the WR102 to WR137 frequency range series for microwave switching applications.
• WR159-229 Series Waveguide Switches Waveguide switches covering the WR159 to WR229 frequency range series for RF and microwave systems.
• WR284-430 Series Waveguide Switches Waveguide switches covering the WR284 to WR430 frequency range series for microwave frequency switching.
• WR650-970 Series Waveguide Switches Large-size waveguide switches covering the WR650 to WR970 frequency range series for lower microwave frequencies.
• Double Ridge Waveguide Switches Double ridge waveguide switches designed for broadband microwave switching applications.
• SM7 Series Coaxial Switches SM7 series coaxial switches for reliable RF switching in various microwave applications.
• SM7N Series Coaxial Switches SM7N series coaxial switches with N-type connectors for microwave frequency applications.
• 7Rx Series Coaxial Switches 7Rx series coaxial switches for RF and microwave switching applications.
• 7Sx Series Coaxial Switches 7Sx series coaxial switches designed for microwave switching applications.
• 7Dx Series Coaxial Switches 7Dx series coaxial switches for dual-position RF switching in microwave systems.
• WG-Coax 34-75 Series Dual Waveguide/Coax Switches Dual waveguide/coaxial switches combining WR34, WR42, WR62, and WR75 series with SMA and BNC connectors for versatile microwave applications.
• WG-Coax 112 Series Dual Waveguide/Coax Switches Dual waveguide/coaxial switches combining WR112 waveguide with SMA, BNC, and N-type coaxial connectors.
• WG-Coax 137 Series Dual Waveguide/Coax Switches Dual waveguide/coaxial switches combining WR137 waveguide with SMA, BNC, and N-type coaxial connectors.
• WG-Coax 229 Series Dual Waveguide/Coax Switches Dual waveguide/coaxial switches combining WR229 waveguide with SMA, BNC, and N-type coaxial connectors, available in standard, sealed, and sheltered configurations.
• WG-Coax 430N Series Dual Waveguide/Coax Switches WR430N series dual waveguide/coaxial switches for specialized microwave applications.
• Space Heritage Switches Custom-made Hi-Rel space-qualified switches including WR15-112 Space Series, WR22 Space Series, WR51 Space Series, and SPDT/DPDTD series designed for orbital and deep space missions with proven reliability since 1985 and zero failures across all in-space deployments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero failures in space applications across 50 years of operation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ElhyteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive representative for France. Contact: +33 0 1 71 63 14 30.
• Odd Tvedt & Co.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive representative for Norway. Contact: +47 55 59 98 90.
• RCM LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive representative for Israel. Contact: +972 3 9229006.
• Nanjing Hrt Ind. Inc.minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM partner for China. Contact: +86 25 86403309, [email protected].
• DSPM TelecomminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentative for Italy. Contact: +39 02 66800984.
• RFMW, S.L.U.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentative for Spain. Contact: +34 95 241 7024.
• RUPPtronik GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentative for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Contacts: [email protected] (+49 8062 777 9 222), [email protected] (+49 8062 777 9 227).
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA has used SMI switches on multiple deep space and Mars missions since 1996. Custom Hi-Rel switches have been on every Mars mission. Space heritage includes Cassini, Juno, New Horizons, OSIRIS-REx, LUCY, NISAR, and Solar Dynamics Observatory.
• ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner on NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission, a dual-frequency radar satellite scheduled for 2024 launch.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Dow-Key Microwave (Keysight): Dow-Key Microwave, now part of Keysight Technologies, is a long-established manufacturer of electromechanical coaxial and waveguide switches serving aerospace, defense, and test & measurement markets. Directly comparable to SMI in product category, but with substantially greater scale and a much broader test-equipment parent ecosystem.
• Mini-Circuits: Mini-Circuits manufactures a broad portfolio of RF/microwave components including coaxial switches, attenuators, and signal-routing devices for commercial, industrial, and military customers. Highly comparable product overlap with SMI's coaxial switch line, though Mini-Circuits operates at much higher volume and broader catalog breadth.
• Radiall: Radiall is a global manufacturer of interconnect and coaxial switch products serving aerospace, defense, telecom, and industrial markets. Comparable to SMI in coaxial switches and RF interconnects, but operating at significantly larger scale with a much broader product portfolio.
• Smiths Interconnect: Smiths Interconnect designs and manufactures high-reliability RF/microwave switches, connectors, and subsystems for space, defense, and aerospace markets. Directly relevant peer given space-qualified switch portfolio and overlapping NASA/ESA customer base, though at materially larger scale than SMI.
• Pasternack (Infinite Electronics): Pasternack, part of Infinite Electronics, distributes a broad catalog of RF/microwave switches, adapters, and waveguide components to commercial, military, and aerospace customers. Comparable product overlap with SMI, particularly in commercial-grade coaxial switches and waveguide assemblies.
• CAES (Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions): CAES provides RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave components including space-qualified switches and subsystems for defense and space customers. Directly comparable to SMI in Hi-Rel aerospace RF switching, with a far broader portfolio and integration into larger mission systems.
• Teledyne Technologies: Teledyne's defense and space segments manufacture high-reliability RF and microwave components, including switches and interconnects for NASA and DoD missions. Relevant as a much larger incumbent serving many of the same mission-critical aerospace customers as SMI.
• Ducommun Incorporated: Ducommun manufactures high-reliability electronic and electromechanical components, including RF switches and waveguide assemblies, for aerospace and defense markets. Comparable to SMI in space/defense customer base and electromechanical switching technology, though at substantially larger scale.

Direct peers

• JFW Industries: JFW Industries designs and manufactures RF switches (electromechanical and solid-state), attenuators, and RF test accessories for defense and commercial applications. Closely aligned product category to SMI, including similar form factors and Hi-Rel target markets, with comparable scale and customer base.
• RLC Electronics: RLC Electronics manufactures electromechanical and solid-state RF switches, filters, and custom microwave components for military, aerospace, and commercial customers. Directly comparable to SMI in switch technology, customization model, and Hi-Rel aerospace focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Sector Microwave Industries