What Crown Consulting, Inc. does

Crown Consulting (legal entity: Crown Innovations, Inc.) is a privately held government contractor founded in 1989 by Afzal I. Khan and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. The firm provides engineering, technical, and scientific services to federal aviation, aerospace, and energy agencies, with FAA and NASA as dominant customers and a growing footprint at the U.S. Department of Energy. Core service areas are organized as Aerospace R&D, Communications Infrastructure, UAS Implementation & Integration, and Data Lifecycle Management, delivered through prime contracts, subcontracts on larger vehicles (TSSC5 with Parsons, NISC III / FFSP with Leidos), and state and commercial advisory engagements.

The company's technical stack spans model-based systems engineering (MBSE) for AAM architecture, the Sherlock ATM-X data warehouse, the VIPER Fault Management system with autocoded MC/DC test coverage, autonomous aircraft ConOps and fast-time simulation, cloud-based ML data warehouses, and turnkey communications infrastructure deployment at FAA scale (600+ sites under OES). Major contract vehicles include a $207M FAA Ontario Engineering Services award (March 2025), a $121M NASA NAMS-2 prime contract (September 2024), the $115M NASA DATSS II BPA (May 2024, only small business awardee among five), and a position on the DOE's $900M EOP V (June 2024). ISO 9001:2015 certified and led by former senior FAA and NASA executives.

The business model is exclusively professional services, sold through formal federal procurement (RFQs, BPAs, IDIQs) and channel partnerships with system integrators, with no consumer or product pricing. Revenue mechanics are cost-plus, time-and-materials, and fixed-price contract mix with multi-year tenors; the firm monetizes deep institutional knowledge of FAA/NASA program offices, the National Airspace System, and AAM/UTM frameworks. The firm has 51-100 employees, selectively grows via senior lateral hires from FAA and NASA, and has begun extending its capabilities into state DOT UAS programs (Ohio, North Carolina), commercial drone and vertiport certification (DroneUp, EHang), and healthcare UAS logistics (SUNY Upstate).

Name

Crown Consulting, Inc.

Legal name

Crown Innovations, Inc.

Website

https://crownci.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Crown Consulting is a private federal contractor providing aerospace R&D, FAA communications infrastructure, UAS/AAM integration, and data lifecycle services to FAA, NASA, and the Department of Energy. Founded in 1989 and led by former FAA and NASA executives, the firm operates primarily as a prime and subcontractor on multi-year federal vehicles.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Engineering & Aviation Consulting Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Governance & Board Effectiveness Advisory (BPAHAFAC)

Keywords

• Air traffic management services
• Aerospace research consulting
• UAS integration advisory
• Aviation systems engineering
• Government aviation contracting

Headquarters

HQ city

Vausseroux

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Contracts: Crown operates primarily as a government contractor providing engineering, technical, and scientific services to federal agencies including FAA, NASA, and Department of Energy. Contracts include cost-plus, time-and-materials, and fixed-price arrangements. Major awards include $207M FAA Ontario Engineering Services (OES) contract, $121M NASA NAMS-2 contract, and positions on multiple BPA vehicles.
2. State and Local Government Contracts: Crown provides UAS implementation and AAM advisory services to state DOTs including Ohio and North Carolina, supporting state-level aviation initiatives and infrastructure planning.
3. Commercial Client Services: Crown provides regulatory, certification, and advisory services to commercial entities including drone operators (DroneUp), vertiport developers, and aviation technology companies seeking FAA certifications and AAM integration support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Crown Innovations, Inc. is an aviation-focused government contractor and consulting firm providing aerospace R&D, communications infrastructure modernization, UAS and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) integration advisory, and data lifecycle management services. The company delivers engineering, technical, and scientific professional services primarily to federal agencies (FAA, NASA, Department of Energy), with additional state DOT and commercial engagements. Core deliverables include safety-critical flight software, MBSE architecture frameworks, regulatory certification support, and large-scale systems installation across the National Airspace System.

Product overview

Crown Innovations is a government contracting and consulting firm that offers a portfolio of interconnected services organized around four core areas: Aerospace R&D (including AI, autonomous systems, and MBSE), Communications Infrastructure (FAA systems modernization and installation), UAS Implementation & Integration (strategic advisory for AAM), and Data Lifecycle Management (analytics, ML, surveys, and data services). The company operates primarily as a prime and subcontractor on federal contracts with FAA, NASA, and DOE, and does not offer a single unified software product but rather service offerings and capabilities. Major contracts include the $121M NASA NAMS-2, $207M FAA Ontario Engineering Services, DOE EOP V ($900M ceiling), and NASA DATSS II contracts. The portfolio also includes specialized capabilities in air traffic management, human factors, regulatory certification, and UAS inspection/drone services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aerospace R&D Cutting-edge aerospace and air mobility solutions through expertise in aviation systems, artificial intelligence, systems engineering, and computer science. Crown advances innovation in developing and validating aviation concepts, enables safe integration of manned and unmanned aircraft, embeds autonomy into aviation operations, and enhances air vehicle technologies. Target customers include NASA, FAA, and aerospace research organizations.
• Communications Infrastructure Integration & Infrastructure Division services partnering with the FAA to modernize and maintain infrastructure underpinning the National Airspace System. Capabilities include design and deployment of navigation aids, power and physical security systems, surveillance systems, fiber optic networks, and advanced communications systems, plus turnkey construction and logistics services across 600+ locations.
• UAS Implementation & Integration Strategic advisory and implementation support for state and local governments and commercial partners pursuing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) initiatives. Services include designing and operationalizing statewide networks for uncrewed aerial systems applications, regulatory strategy, Part 135 certification support, BVLOS approvals, and vertiport planning.
• Data Lifecycle Management Full spectrum of data services that empower organizations to transform data into actionable insights, including data governance, quality assurance, advanced analytics, machine learning, data infrastructure modernization, diverse data source integration, and secure real-time access to critical information. Customers include NASA (Sherlock warehouse), DOE/EIA, and FAA.

Quantifiable outcome

• Crown retired significant VIPER project risk by developing highly automated FM system for autocoding both software and test system.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered major, supporting and core.

• NoblismajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2024Noblis is a major partner on the $121M NASA NAMS-2 contract, providing expertise alongside Crown as prime contractor to expand NASA Ames capabilities.
• Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2024AMA is a major partner on the NASA NAMS-2 contract, contributing to aerospace and technology R&D support for NASA Ames Research Center.
• University of California Berkeley (UCB)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2024UCB is an academic partner on the NASA NAMS-2 contract, bringing university research capabilities to the team.
• Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2024GTRI is an academic partner on the NASA NAMS-2 contract.
• Modern Technology Solutions Inc. (MTSI)supportingTechnology or Integration · 14 September 2024MTSI is a technical area partner on the NASA NAMS-2 contract.
• Parsons CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2024Crown is a subcontractor to Parsons on the $1.8B FAA TSSC5 contract, bringing decades of aviation infrastructure experience. The companies have a long-standing partnership with FAA.
• SubComsupportingTechnology or Integration · 14 September 2024Crown partnered with SubCom to assist in delivery of transoceanic fiber optic networks, installing over 18 miles of linear cabling and 14 miles of subduct.
• LMIsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 September 2021Crown teamed with LMI on a NASA contract to study Upper Class E airspace markets and traffic management.
• Burns EngineeringsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 August 2021Crown teamed with Burns Engineering on a National Safe Skies Alliance grant to develop urban air mobility airport/vertiport security requirements.
• Harris Miller Miller & Hanson Inc. (HMMH)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 12 May 2021Crown was selected by HMMH to support a $29M NASA contract for supersonic aircraft noise testing data collection.
• Quantitative Scientific Solutions LLC (QS-2)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2021QS-2 partnered with Crown and NC State University on Air Force Agility Prime STTR for Model-Based Systems Engineering with Machine Learning for Test Case Generation.
• North Carolina State UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2021NC State partnered with Crown and QS-2 on Air Force STTR for MBSE with machine learning for UAM test case generation.
• LeidoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrown is a subcontractor to Leidos on NAS Integration Support Contract (NISC III) and Future Flight Services Program (FFSP), supporting FAA NAS modernization.
• Concept SolutionssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrown partnered with Concept Solutions on Command & Control Communications (C3) Program Management Office supporting FAA.
• Frequentis USAsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCrown completed test and evaluation training to support Frequentis role in FENS implementation, ensuring 100% compliance with FENS requirements.
• McKinsey & Co.supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrown teamed with McKinsey on a comprehensive UAS/UAM market study to inform NASA's research agenda.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SAIC: SAIC is a large federal IT and engineering services contractor with significant FAA, NASA, and DoE presence (including past FAA TSSC vehicles). It competes for the same pool of large federal aviation and aerospace programs Crown pursues.
• ICF International: ICF provides federal energy, environment, and aviation advisory services, including significant DoE/EIA work that overlaps with Crown's data lifecycle management practice. It is a broader professional services firm with comparable government domain capabilities.
• Leidos: Leidos is a large federal systems integrator holding major FAA contracts (NISC III, FFSP) where Crown is a subcontractor. It competes broadly for FAA/NASA modernization work and is significantly larger, but with overlapping aviation domain expertise.
• Parsons Corporation: Parsons is the prime contractor on the $1.8B FAA TSSC5 contract where Crown serves as a subcontractor, and has deep FAA and federal aviation infrastructure capabilities. As the incumbent prime, Parsons both partners with and competes against Crown for adjacent FAA work.
• Booz Allen Hamilton: Booz Allen is a major federal management and technology consulting firm with FAA, NASA, and DoE clients. It competes for higher-level federal advisory and engineering work touching aviation, AAM, and digital transformation.

Direct peers

• Noblis: Noblis is a nonprofit science and technology organization that provides FAA, NASA, and DoT engineering, research, and analytics services. It is a major partner with Crown on the $121M NASA NAMS-2 contract and competes in the same federal aviation R&D and systems engineering pool.
• MITRE Corporation: MITRE operates federally funded R&D centers (FFRDCs) for the FAA (Center for Advanced Aviation System Development) and advises on air traffic management, UAS integration, and CNS modernization. It is the deepest incumbent in the FAA technical advisory space where Crown competes.
• LMI: LMI is a consulting firm that supports FAA, NASA, and DoD on logistics, aviation, and emerging technology programs. LMI has teamed with Crown on a NASA Upper Class E airspace market study and competes for similar federal aviation advisory work.
• Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA): AMA is an aerospace engineering services firm supporting NASA, FAA, and DoD on atmospheric flight research, simulation, and systems engineering. AMA is a NAMS-2 partner with Crown and competes for similar NASA Ames and FAA technical services work.
• Modern Technology Solutions Inc. (MTSI): MTSI is an aerospace and defense engineering services firm with deep autonomy, UAS, and airworthiness expertise supporting DoD and NASA. It is a NAMS-2 partner and competes for similar NASA/FAA aerospace research and autonomous systems work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Crown Consulting, Inc.