CARTRIDGE ACTUATED DEVICES, INC

What CARTRIDGE ACTUATED DEVICES, INC does

Cartridge Actuated Devices, Inc. (CAD) is a privately held, U.S.-based custom pyrotechnic device manufacturer founded in 1963. The company designs and manufactures energetic Cartridge Actuated Devices (CAD) and Propellant Actuated Devices (PAD), with a product portfolio that includes explosive squibs, pressure cartridges, cable cutters, valves, actuators, pin pullers, thrusters, explosive bolts, puncture devices, pneumatic actuation systems, underwater devices, and oilfield products. CAD's products are specifically configured for individual customer applications and engineered for mission-critical, man-rated use cases where first-time, every-time reliability is a stated design requirement.

The underlying technology centers on custom pyrotechnic compositions combined with precision mechanical integration, delivering single-use initiators and actuators that release controlled energy on demand. Each device is application-engineered rather than sold off the shelf, indicating project-based contract manufacturing rather than high-volume catalog sales. The company serves four named vertical end markets: military/defense (described as the primary segment), aerospace, fire suppression, and oil & drilling, with products deployed in military, industrial, and scientific applications worldwide.

The business model is direct enterprise and government (B2B/B2G) sales through custom manufacturing engagements. Revenue is generated through one-time sales of custom-configured hardware, with no disclosed pricing, contract structures, or financial metrics. The company maintains a corporate website (cadenergetics.com), an active recruiting portal, and a social media presence on LinkedIn and Facebook, but discloses no revenue, no specific ownership structure, and no employee headcount beyond a 1–10 range. Ownership is presumed to be private and closely held given the absence of any public listing, ticker, or investor relations presence.

Name

CARTRIDGE ACTUATED DEVICES, INC

Legal name

Cartridge Actuated Devices, Inc.

Website

https://cartactdev.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cartridge Actuated Devices, Inc. is a private, U.S.-based custom pyrotechnic manufacturer founded in 1963, designing and producing energetic CAD/PAD devices—including squibs, explosive bolts, and actuators—for defense, aerospace, fire suppression, and oil & drilling customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energetic Devices and Pyrotechnic Components

NAICS

Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing (332992)

SIC

Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)

akta.pro primary industry

Fuzes, Primers, Detonators & Initiation Systems (IMABAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ordnance Components & Subassemblies (Casings, Liners, Guidance Sections) (IMABAHAL), Aerospace Actuation, Hydraulics & Pneumatics Components (IMABANAC), Actuators & Motion Devices (Linear, Rotary, Electric Actuators for Motion Control) (IMAHAGAG)

Keywords

• Pyrotechnic actuators
• Explosive squibs
• Cartridge actuated devices
• Cable cutters
• Energetic device manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Fairfield

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, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Energetic Device Sales: Custom-designed and manufactured energetic CAD/PAD devices sold to military, industrial, and scientific customers worldwide. Products are specifically configured for each application, indicating project-based or contract manufacturing revenue from specialized hardware.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Cartridge Actuated Devices, Inc. designs and manufactures custom energetic CAD/PAD devices — including explosive squibs, pressure cartridges, valves, cable cutters, actuators, pin pullers, thrusters, explosive bolts, puncture devices, and pneumatic actuation systems — for mission-critical, man-rated applications in defense, military, aerospace, fire suppression, and oilfield sectors. Each device is specifically configured for the customer's task and built to perform "first-time, every-time" with maximum reliability and fastest actuation.

Product overview

Cartridge Actuated Devices, Inc. is a custom pyrotechnic development and manufacturing company offering a portfolio of energetic CAD/PAD (Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices) devices. The product portfolio includes actuators, cable cutters, valves, cartridges and squibs, explosive bolts, pneumatic actuation systems, detonators, pin pullers, thrusters, puncture devices, underwater devices, and oilfield products. The company specializes in configuring these products for specific mission-critical applications requiring reliable, fast-acting performance. Founded in 1963, CAD serves military, industrial, scientific, fire suppression, and oil field sectors worldwide with a focus on man-rated applications designed to perform "first-time, every-time".

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Actuators Custom pyrotechnic actuators designed for mission-critical applications requiring reliable, fast-acting performance across defense, aerospace, fire suppression, and oilfield use cases.
• Cable Cutters Pyrotechnic cable cutting devices engineered for precise and reliable cutting in demanding environments such as aerospace, military, and industrial systems.
• Valves Energetic valve devices for critical control applications in industrial and military systems.
• Cartridges & Squibs Explosive squibs and pressure cartridges configured for specific mission requirements, designed for first-time, every-time reliability.
• Explosive Bolts NF Explosive Bolts providing controlled separation for aerospace, military, and industrial applications.
• Pneumatic Actuation Systems Combined pyrotechnic and pneumatic systems for advanced actuation requirements across defense, aerospace, and industrial applications.
• Detonators, Delays & Primers Delays, detonators, and primers for precise timing and initiation in pyrotechnic sequences used in military, aerospace, and industrial applications.
• Pin Pullers Mechanical devices actuated by pyrotechnic charge to release pins or fasteners in critical defense, aerospace, and industrial applications.
• Thrusters Pyrotechnic thruster devices providing controlled linear motion for deployment and separation functions in aerospace, military, and industrial systems.
• Puncture Devices Energetic puncture mechanisms for controlled piercing in fire suppression and industrial applications.
• Underwater Devices Specialized pyrotechnic devices designed for reliable operation in underwater environments, including subsea oil & gas and military applications.
• Oilfield Products Custom energetic solutions configured for oil and gas drilling applications, including wellhead activation and safety systems.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense: Closest direct peer; manufactures energetic devices including detonators, initiators, pyrotechnic actuators, and explosive bolts for aerospace and defense - directly overlapping CAD's core product portfolio.
• Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company: Specialty manufacturer of energetic initiators, detonators, and CAD/PAD-style devices for aerospace and defense; comparable in scope, customer base, and product type to CAD.
• Chemring Group: UK-listed specialist in energetic devices including fuzes, detonators, initiators, and pyrotechnic components for defense and security - product overlap with CAD's initiation systems.

Broad incumbents

• Nammo: Larger aerospace and defense company producing rocket motors, ammunition, fuzes, and pyrotechnic actuation devices across military and space markets - directly competes in initiation systems and energetic actuators.
• L3Harris Technologies (Aerojet Rocketdyne): Major defense prime with significant propulsion and energetic devices business post-Aerojet Rocketdyne acquisition; competes in actuation and pyrotechnic components for missiles, space, and tactical systems.
• RTX (Collins Aerospace / Raytheon): Large defense prime that internally manufactures and procures pyrotechnic and actuation components for ejection seats, missiles, and space systems - both a potential customer and competitor to CAD.
• Northrop Grumman: Defense prime producing propulsion, ordnance components, and pyrotechnic separation devices for missiles and space launch vehicles; overlaps with CAD's explosive bolts and thruster offerings.
• Teledyne Technologies: Diversified industrial/defense supplier with energetic materials, instrumentation, and aerospace subsystems; supplies pyrotechnic and electronic actuation into similar end markets as CAD.
• BAE Systems: Global defense prime that manufactures and procures pyrotechnic actuation, separation, and ordnance components for aircraft, naval, and land platforms - serves as both supplier and integrator overlapping CAD's markets.

Emerging players

• Day & Zimmermann: Through its Munitions & Engineering group, produces fuzes, energetic components, and specialty ordnance - overlaps with CAD's detonator and initiation device work for defense customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Cartridge-Actuated-Devices/150045888371264
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cartridge-actuated-devices

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 →

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