Acoustic Research Systems
Acoustic Research Systems designs and sells the Neutron™ acoustic test and launch simulation system for aerospace and defense customers, including NASA, ESA, Sierra Space, and Northrop Grumman, qualifying spacecraft and launch vehicles against flight acoustic environments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersShepherdstown, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Acoustic Research Systems does
Acoustic Research Systems (ARS) is a private US-headquartered aerospace acoustic testing company that designs, builds, and sells the Neutron™ turn-key acoustic test and launch simulation system. Founded in 2018 and operating from Shepherdstown, West Virginia, ARS serves aerospace prime contractors, government space agencies, and university research institutions that need to qualify spacecraft, launch vehicles, and payloads against flight acoustic and vibration environments. Its customers include NASA, ESA, Sierra Space, Northrop Grumman, RAL Space, SWRI, and the University of Colorado LASP.
The company's core product, the Neutron™ system, combines Direct Field Acoustic Noise (DFAN) generation, acoustic modal testing capability, and integrated data acquisition through sub-products (Drive, Core Rack, Accessories). The platform is designed to reproduce high-intensity launch acoustic environments in a controlled lab setting, enabling qualification testing for flight programs including NASA's Artemis missions. ARS pairs the hardware with proprietary Model-Based AcuSim simulation software and integrates with third-party stacks such as m+p international's DF-ACS acoustic control software and Dassault Systemes' virtual design environment, supporting a model-based testing workflow.
ARS makes money primarily through capital equipment sales of the Neutron system on a quote/custom basis, supplemented by professional services (test campaign execution), training, and support contracts. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales to a small set of large aerospace and government buyers, augmented by strategic channel partnerships with m+p international and ATA Engineering. The company extended its commercial footprint into Europe through Acoustic Research Systems (Europe) GmbH in Potsdam, Germany, and is funded through a Series A round closed in October 2021.
Acoustic Research Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Acoustic Research Systems
- Legal name
- Acoustic Research Systems, LLC
- Website
- https://acousticrs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Acoustic Research Systems designs and sells the Neutron™ acoustic test and launch simulation system for aerospace and defense customers, including NASA, ESA, Sierra Space, and Northrop Grumman, qualifying spacecraft and launch vehicles against flight acoustic environments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Acoustic Research Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aerospace Acoustic Testing Equipment
- NAICS
- Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Military Aerospace Ground Support Equipment (GSE) & Test Systems (IMABAMAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT) (IMABACAK), Propulsion Test, Integration & Certification Services (IMABADAN)
Keywords
Where Acoustic Research Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shepherdstown
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Acoustic Research Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Acoustic Testing Services: Direct Field Acoustic Testing and Acoustic Modal Testing services for aerospace programs. Provides testing from cube-sats to large satellites, both on-site and at customer facilities.
- System Sales: Sale of Neutron™ System and related acoustic testing equipment for customers seeking to own and operate their own testing capabilities.
- Training and Support Services: Hands-on training, commissioning, and ongoing support services including calibration and performance optimization through service agreements.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Acoustic Research Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ARS provides acoustic and environmental testing services and equipment for aerospace programs, centered on its proprietary Neutron™ System. The company performs Direct Field Acoustic Noise (DFAN) testing and Acoustic Modal Testing to qualify spacecraft, satellites, and launch hardware for the harsh acoustic environment of rocket launches, and sells Neutron systems to organizations that want to operate their own acoustic testing capability.
Product overview
Acoustic Research Systems offers a unified product and service portfolio centered on its Neutron™ System, a purpose-built turn-key acoustic testing platform. The Neutron System serves as the core hardware product, which customers can either access through ARS's testing services or purchase for their own facilities. Supporting the core system are technology sub-products including Drive (with real-time telemetry, backup power, and autonomous control), Core Rack infrastructure, and Accessories. ARS delivers its capabilities through multiple service models: Direct Field Acoustic Testing (DFAN) services for launch qualification, Acoustic Modal Testing for structural dynamics characterization, additional environmental testing services, and system sales for organizations choosing to own the technology. The portfolio also includes support services such as instrumentation, data post-processing, and calibration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Neutron™ System: Proprietary turn-key acoustic test and launch simulation system designed specifically for aerospace acoustic testing with ultra-high output capability.
Products and services
- Neutron™ System Turn-key, ultra-high output acoustic test and launch simulation system providing Direct Field Acoustic Noise (DFAN) testing for aerospace customers. Sold to organizations that want to own and operate their own acoustic testing capability, with installation, training, and ongoing support included.
- Direct Field Acoustic Testing (DFAN) Service Professional testing service providing DFAN capabilities to qualify spacecraft, satellites, and aerospace hardware for launch conditions. Available on-site at ARS facilities or at customer locations, scalable from cube-sats to large satellites.
- Acoustic Modal Testing Service Testing service using acoustic excitation to extract modal data for correlation with finite element models, enabling non-contact characterization of structural dynamics with minimal disruption to test articles.
- Additional Testing Services Complementary environmental testing services that extend ARS's acoustic testing portfolio to broader test programs for aerospace and high-performance industrial customers.
- Support Services Supplementary services including instrumentation, post-processing of test data, calibration, and ongoing technical support delivered through service agreements with Neutron™ System owners.
- System Sales Sale and installation of Neutron™ acoustic testing systems for organizations seeking to own and operate their own acoustic testing capability, bundled with training, commissioning, and ongoing support.
Quantifiable outcome
- Can excite vehicles well below known acoustic thresholds as low as 2 Hz, enabling meaningful modal data capture with minimal disruption
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Acoustic Research Systems
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Acoustic Research Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature5 records
Acoustic Research Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, key account, regional and minor.
- ATA EngineeringcoreCollaborative partnership for modal and acoustic testing demonstration. ATA's fixed base correction method provides fixed base modes even while test article is mounted to dynamically active base. Joint technical presentations on experimental modal analysis using acoustic excitation at industry conferences.
- m+p internationalcoreTechnology integration partner providing m+p DF-ACS acoustic control software integrated with Neutron System. Joint international acoustic testing demonstrations and co-presentations at SmallSat Europe on acoustic launch qualification. Ongoing technical collaboration on control strategies and data processing.
- Experior LaboratoriescoreStrategic partnership for comprehensive environmental testing solutions. Shared booth at Space Symposium 2024 and collaborative demonstration events. Partnership offers turnkey solution across wide range of tests combining acoustic and environmental testing capabilities.
- Southwest Research Institute (SWRI)key accountSWRI selected ARS's Neutron System for their new acoustic test chamber at 74,000-square-foot Space System Spacecraft and Payload Processing Facility. ARS provided system installation, hands-on training, certification, and ongoing service agreement for support.
- Sierra Spacekey accountARS provided acoustic testing services for Dream Chaser spaceplane and Shooting Star cargo module. Ongoing collaboration with testimonials from VP of Test Engineering praising the flexibility and scalability of Neutron system.
- RAL Space / UK National Satellite Test Facilitykey accountDelivery and training for landmark acoustic testing system at RAL Space. Largest Neutron System in Europe operational at UK's National Satellite Test Facility at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.
- ESA (European Space Agency)key accountARS participating in ESA CM25 Industry Event and DFAN working group. Involvement in ESA's ARIEL mission acoustic testing for Europe's first space acoustic tests.
- Keystone Space CollaborativeregionalNon-profit organization supporting space industry in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. CEO Jeremiah Leiter serves on board. ARS provides annual sponsorship and membership supporting regional space industry growth initiatives.
- The Aerospace CorporationregionalCo-presenting at SCLV workshops and Spacecraft and Launch Vehicle Dynamic Environments Workshop. Aerospace Corporation hosts annual workshop and operates FFRDC for space industry.
- Dassault SystemesminorCollaboration on virtual design technologies. Partner showcased Virtual Twin and Model-Based approaches at SpaceComm Expo. Dr. Indranil Dandaroy from Dassault Systemes participated in collaborative acoustic modal test at CU-LASP.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Acoustic Research Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- MTS Systems: Established supplier of mechanical testing and simulation systems, including test hardware for vibration, acoustic, and structural qualification. Comparable because it supplies aerospace-grade test equipment and services to overlapping customers (NASA, primes, defense agencies).
- National Instruments (NI): Major supplier of data acquisition, instrumentation, and test software used in aerospace and acoustic test programs. Comparable because NI's data acquisition systems are commonly integrated into acoustic test cells alongside or competing with ARS's Core Rack and m+p DF-ACS control stack.
- Brüel & Kjær (HBK): Global leader in acoustic and vibration measurement instrumentation and testing services. Directly comparable to ARS because HBK supplies acoustic test hardware, sensors, and software used across aerospace qualification programs, including DFAN/reverberant-field chambers.
- PCB Piezotronics: Manufacturer of acoustic, vibration, and pressure sensors and instrumentation used across aerospace test programs. Comparable because it supplies measurement hardware deployed alongside ARS systems during spacecraft acoustic qualification, and represents a broader incumbent in the same test ecosystem.
Direct peers
- m+p international: Provider of acoustic and vibration control software (DF-ACS) integrated with ARS's Neutron System. Comparable because m+p's DF-ACS is one of the leading acoustic control platforms for DFAN/reverberant testing worldwide, and it partners with and competes for mindshare in aerospace test labs.
- Experior Laboratories:
- Unholtz-Dickie Corporation: Manufacturer of vibration and acoustic test equipment, including shakers and high-intensity acoustic systems used for spacecraft and defense qualification. Comparable because it sells adjacent acoustic testing hardware to the same aerospace qualification market that ARS targets.
- Data Physics (ab Tomi): Supplier of signal analysis, vibration control, and acoustic test systems widely used in aerospace qualification. Comparable because it sells competing acoustic/vibration test hardware and software to the same aerospace OEMs and government test labs as ARS.
Regional players
- Southwest Research Institute (SWRI): Independent R&D institute that purchased a Neutron System from ARS and also runs its own environmental/acoustic test services. Comparable because it is both a customer of ARS and a competing provider of acoustic and environmental test services for aerospace and defense programs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Acoustic Research Systems social profiles
Digital presenceAcoustic Research Systems compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Acoustic Research Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Acoustic Research Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Acoustic Research Systems subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Acoustic Research Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Acoustic Research Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Acoustic Research Systems
What does Acoustic Research Systems do?
ARS provides acoustic and environmental testing services and equipment for aerospace programs, centered on its proprietary Neutron™ System. The company performs Direct Field Acoustic Noise (DFAN) testing and Acoustic Modal Testing to qualify spacecraft, satellites, and launch hardware for the harsh acoustic environment of rocket launches, and sells Neutron systems to organizations that want to operate their own acoustic testing capability.
Is Acoustic Research Systems a public or private company?
Acoustic Research Systems is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Acoustic Research Systems founded?
Acoustic Research Systems was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Acoustic Research Systems based?
Acoustic Research Systems is headquartered in Shepherdstown, United States, in the North America region.
How does Acoustic Research Systems make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Acoustic Testing Services are the primary driver. The others are system Sales and training and Support Services.
Who are Acoustic Research Systems's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are MTS Systems, National Instruments (NI), Brüel & Kjær (HBK) and PCB Piezotronics. Direct peers are m+p international, Experior Laboratories, Unholtz-Dickie Corporation and Data Physics (ab Tomi). Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) is listed as a regional player.
Does Acoustic Research Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Acoustic Research Systems.
What industry is Acoustic Research Systems in?
Acoustic Research Systems's product category is Aerospace Acoustic Testing Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAMAL, Military Aerospace Ground Support Equipment (GSE) & Test Systems, with a secondary code of IMABACAK, Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT). Its NAICS code is 54138 and its SIC code is 8734.