Patriot

What Patriot does

Patriot Taxiway Industries, Inc. is a privately held, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered at 290 Pleasant Hill Avenue, Lomira, Wisconsin, founded in 2009. The company designs, engineers, tests and manufactures LED and infrared (IR) lighting products for aerospace, military and civilian aviation applications, operating through an AS9100D/ISO 9001:2015-certified, environmentally controlled electronic assembly facility with an in-house lighting measurement laboratory. Its product portfolio spans external and internal aircraft lighting (F-16 inlet and tail lights, KC-135 cargo bay kits, E-3 AWACS cabin and emergency lighting, AIDC Advanced Jet Trainer exterior suite, Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew module lighting), portable/perimeter expeditionary lighting (the patented Stand Guard Dual Mode Portable Lighting System, US Patent 7,997,753, plus the TCB and I-TRAC tactical beacons) and FAA airfield approach lighting, including Medium Intensity Approach Lighting Systems with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights (MALSR) and PAR-56/PAR-38 LED replacement lamps.

The business model is contract-driven direct B2B sales to U.S. government agencies and aerospace prime OEMs under multi-year, quote-based hardware agreements. Revenue streams are diversified across U.S. Air Force/Air National Guard contracts, FAA civilian airfield programs, OEM embedded supply with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, AIDC and Kaman Aerospace, international defense export (recognized with the President's 'E' Award in 2020), and specialized aeromedical evacuation lighting solutions. Go-to-market relies on enterprise field sales into defense procurement offices and FAA contracting offices, OEM engineering relationships, and event-driven demand generation through WEPTAC, Farnborough, Paris Air Show, NGAUS and Aircraft Interiors Expo participation, supported by Aviation Suppliers Association and ARSAG membership. The workforce is over 70% veterans, and the company is founder-led with Steven A. Smits as President and Kevin McDermott as Vice President of Business Development.

Strategically, Patriot has leveraged its SDVOSB status, Buy American Act compliance, AS9100D quality system and patent-protected portable lighting IP to win preferred-supply positions on long-life military platforms (F-16), crewed spaceflight programs (CST-100 Starliner), and ongoing FAA airfield modernization. The company has scaled on contract revenue rather than external institutional capital, added incremental headcount and footprint via the Omro-to-Lomira relocation to support larger contract runs, and extended into new tactical products (TCB, I-TRAC) and international customers in the UK, UAE and Taiwan. No M&A, venture funding or restructuring events are evidenced.

Name

Patriot

Legal name

Patriot Taxiway Industries, Inc.

Website

https://patriottaxiway.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Patriot Taxiway Industries is a Wisconsin-based Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business that designs, tests and manufactures LED and infrared lighting systems for military aircraft, FAA airfield infrastructure, and aerospace OEM programs including Boeing, Lockheed Martin and AIDC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace LED Lighting

NAICS

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335132)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Avionics, Mission Computers & Flight Controls (IMABAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Military Aircraft Platforms (Fixed-Wing) (IMABAMAA)

Keywords

• Aerospace LED lighting
• Military aircraft lighting
• Airfield lighting systems
• Portable tactical lighting
• Aviation lighting manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Lomira

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. U.S. Air Force Lighting Contracts: Defense contracts for military lighting systems including portable LED lighting systems, dual mode exterior lights, and cargo bay lighting kits. Delivered 2,000+ lighting systems to 28+ Air Force bases worldwide.
2. FAA Civilian Aviation Contracts: Contracts with Federal Aviation Administration for MALSR systems, LED runway lighting, and approach lighting systems. Multi-year agreements for civilian airfield infrastructure.
3. Aerospace Prime OEM Contracts: Direct supply relationships with Boeing (CST-100 Starliner), Lockheed Martin (F-16), and AIDC (Advanced Jet Trainer) for aircraft lighting systems integrated during manufacturing.
4. International Defense Sales: International export of LED aircraft lighting through defense partnerships. Awarded President's 'E' Export Award for international sales efforts.
5. Aero Medical Lighting Solutions: Specialized portable lighting kits for aeromedical evacuation missions on military transport aircraft, addressing specific customer requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Patriot Taxiway Industries designs, engineers, manufactures, and tests LED and infrared (IR) lighting systems for military aircraft (F-16, KC-135, E-3 AWACS, Boeing CST-100 Starliner, AIDC Advanced Jet Trainer), civilian aircraft, and civil airfield infrastructure (MALSR approach lighting). The company also produces portable tactical lighting systems including the patented Stand Guard Dual Mode Portable Lighting System and the Tactical Contingency Beacon (TCB), serving the U.S. Air Force, FAA, and major aerospace primes under multi-year government and OEM contracts.

Product overview

Patriot Taxiway Industries is an award-winning lighting solutions provider specializing in design, engineering, and manufacture of state-of-the-art LED lighting technologies for aerospace, military, and civilian applications. The company operates as a platform of lighting product categories including external and internal aircraft lighting for both military (F-16, KC-135, E-3 AWACS, Boeing CST-100 Starliner, AIDC AJT) and civilian aircraft; portable tactical lighting systems including the patented STAND GUARD Dual Mode Portable Lighting System and Tactical Contingency Beacon (TCB); airfield products including MALSR approach lighting and runway systems; and special products division for custom applications. The product portfolio also includes FAA-certified airfield LED replacement lamps (PAR-56, PAR-38) and KC-135 cargo bay lighting kits for aeromedical evacuation missions. The company maintains AS9100D/ISO 9001:2015 quality certification and serves major customers including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, US Air Force, FAA, and AIDC.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stand Guard: Dual Mode Portable LED Lighting Systems - portable lighting solution with visible and infrared capability for military and security applications
• TCB (Tactical Contingency Beacon)
• TALKIT
• I-TRAC

Products and services

• STAND GUARD Dual Mode Portable Lighting System Patented portable perimeter lighting system (US Patent 7,997,753) producing both visible LED and IR light from five separate lighting assemblies mounted on an adjustable lightweight quad pod, with remote control capability for security, maintenance, and general illumination in austere locations.
• Tactical Contingency Beacon (TCB) Man-portable landing light and designation system weighing 5.27 oz (with batteries) or 2.84 oz (without batteries), with White/Blue/Green/Red/Yellow and IR output enabling multiple deployment options at distances over 5 kilometers for fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
• KC-135 Portable LED Cargo Bay Lighting Kit Portable LED lighting kit for Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker cargo compartments producing over 30 times the illumination of the original 1950s-era lighting (15 foot candles vs 1 foot candle) for aeromedical evacuation and cargo operations.
• F-16 Dual Mode Exterior Lights Engineered drop-in LED replacement lighting for F-16 aircraft including Inlet Lights, Tail Lights, and Power Supplies with dual-mode visible and IR capability as government-furnished equipment replacement parts.
• Boeing CST-100 Starliner Crew Module Lighting Adjustable LED cabin lighting units for Boeing's Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 Starliner spacecraft, providing general illumination for crew activities and operations using latest LED technology with full MIL-STD testing and 55G shock launch testing.
• E-3 AWACS Lighting System Main cabin, special, emergency, and aisle LED lighting systems for USAF E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft replacing legacy interior lighting.
• AIDC Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) LED Lighting Exterior LED lighting suite for the AIDC Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) combat-capable aircraft including landing lights, taxiing lights, anti-collision lights, wingtip lights, formation lights, and associated control systems.
• MALSR Systems (Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System) Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights manufactured for the FAA, providing visual guidance for pilots during instrument landing approaches with LED and IR technology for enhanced flight vision systems.
• PAR56 / PAR38 LED Replacement Lamps LED replacement lamps with optional IR emitters for FAA MALSR approach lighting systems, replacing traditional green threshold and white steady burning lamps for improved energy efficiency and enhanced flight vision systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Delivered 2,000 lighting systems on schedule and on budget for $7.7M Air Force contract
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Yoste Strategic PartnersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 October 2021Partnered with Yoste Strategic Partners to attend 2021 WEPTAC (Weapons and Tactics Conference) in Tucson, AZ, showcasing technology and engineering innovations including F-16 product lighting suite, StandGuard, and TALKIT products.
• Aeroforce Logistics LLCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 September 2021F-16 lighting partner attending Annual Worldwide Review hosted by TCG to gather F-16 operator member countries for discussing configuration, maintenance, and logistics issues.
• Support Systems Associates Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 June 2018Melbourne, FL awarded contract for replacement E-3 AWACS main cabin, special, and emergency lighting systems through this partner.
• AIDC/Aerospace Industrial Development CorporationcoreTechnology or Integration · 16 March 2018Awarded 4-year contract for design and manufacture of exterior LED lighting for Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) combat-capable aircraft program. Scope includes Landing Lights, Taxiing Lights, Anti-Collision Lights, Wingtip Lights, Formation Lights, and related components.
• Lockheed Martin AeronauticscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 May 2016Selected as preferred source of supply for Dual Mode Exterior Lights for F-16 airframe. Engineered drop-in LED replacement products for F-16 including Inlet Lights, Tail Lights, and Power Supplies using Government Furnished equipment.
• Boeing Company (Space Exploration Division)coreTechnology or Integration · 14 April 2015Patriot Taxiway Industries designed, developed, tested and supplied Crew Module Lighting units for Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. Provided general illumination for crew activities and operations using latest LED technology. Systems passed full MIL-STD testing and 55G shock launch testing requirements.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell Aerospace: Tier 1 aerospace supplier offering integrated avionics, lighting, and mission systems across commercial and military aircraft. Comparable as a broader incumbent in aircraft lighting and cockpit/cabin systems where Patriot competes for OEM and retrofit sockets.
• Collins Aerospace: Major aerospace systems integrator with significant cabin and exterior lighting portfolios serving Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and the FAA ecosystem. Directly comparable to Patriot's OEM and airfield lighting offerings, but at vastly greater scale and breadth.
• Diehl Aviation: Tier 1 cabin systems supplier offering cabin and cockpit lighting, including mood and human-centric LED lighting, for major commercial OEMs. Comparable in aircraft lighting scope but at much larger scale and as a broader avionics/cabin integrator.

Direct peers

• Astronics Corporation: Specializes in aerospace lighting, including exterior LED aircraft lighting, in-seat power, and cabin systems for commercial and defense customers. Closest direct peer to Patriot in terms of LED aircraft lighting product portfolio, though Astronics is materially larger and publicly traded.
• Bruce Aerospace: Long-standing aircraft lighting manufacturer producing exterior LED lighting, signage, and beacon systems for commercial and military aircraft. Directly comparable as an LED aircraft lighting peer competing for the same retrofit and OEM sockets Patriot targets.
• Whelen Engineering: Manufactures emergency, warning, and aerospace lighting including LED aircraft position, anti-collision, and landing lights. Directly comparable as a U.S.-based competitor in military and civilian LED aviation lighting.
• Oxley Group: UK-based designer and manufacturer of LED lighting for military aerospace and naval platforms, including night-vision-compatible and IR-capable systems. Directly comparable to Patriot's dual-mode and IR military aircraft lighting capability.
• Luminator Aerospace: Supplies LED cabin lighting, signage, and exterior lighting for commercial and military aircraft. Comparable as a direct competitor in cabin/exterior LED aviation lighting across commercial and defense platforms.

Emerging players

• AeroLEDs: Specializes in LED landing, taxi, recognition, and position lights for general aviation and military aircraft. Comparable as a smaller-scale LED aerospace lighting specialist competing in similar retrofit and OEM lighting sockets.
• STG Aerospace: Specializes in LED cabin and cockpit lighting solutions for commercial aviation. Comparable as a specialist LED aircraft lighting peer with focus on cabin mood and photoluminescent floor-path lighting.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/patriottaxiway

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Patriot