What Armtec Defense Technologies does

Armtec Defense Technologies is a privately held U.S. defense contractor and wholly owned subsidiary of TransDigm Group, manufacturing combustible ordnance and expendable countermeasures for the U.S. military and allied foreign governments. The company describes its product line as the largest and most varied in combustible ordnance and countermeasure products globally, organized across two principal families: Expendable Countermeasures (infrared decoy flares, radar countermeasure chaff, impulse cartridges) and Combustible Ordnance (artillery charges including the Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS), 120mm combustible cartridge cases for tank ammunition, mortar propellant containers, and pyrophoric payload cartridges). Named U.S. inventory products include M206 and MJU-7A/B flares, RR-129/144/170/180/188 radar chaff, and the 40mm DNT M918E1 and M781E1 pyrophoric cartridges.

The company's core technology is centered on nitrocellulose-based molded-fiber combustible cartridge cases, iron-based pyrophoric powder payloads, and integrated pyrotechnic formulations for IR and RF decoys. R&D capabilities include specialized government-furnished computer simulations and threat models to predict thermochemical performance, trajectories, and effective radiated power. The Lillington, North Carolina facility is described as the only fully integrated chaff production operation in the world, producing over one million pounds of chaff per year with broad-frequency S-band through Ka-band coverage. Manufacturing and R&D operations span three U.S. sites totaling more than 435,000 square feet: combustible ordnance production and executive offices in Coachella, California; infrared decoy flare production and countermeasure R&D in East Camden, Arkansas; and radar countermeasure chaff production in Lillington, North Carolina. Products are validated across climatic extremes from -40°F to 140°F with 20+ year shelf life on pyrophoric payloads.

Armtec sells exclusively to government defense customers — primarily the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, plus allied foreign governments — through direct enterprise field sales and government procurement channels. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and operates under confidential defense contract terms. The company holds no commercial or retail distribution; all revenue flows from long-term government defense contracts. Armtec is ISO 9001:2015 certified, supplier-certified by major defense customers, and recognized internationally as a high-quality producer, employing 501–1,000 people across its operations.

Name

Armtec Defense Technologies

Legal name

Armtec Defense Technologies

Website

https://armtecdefense.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Armtec Defense Technologies, a TransDigm Group subsidiary, manufactures combustible ordnance (artillery, mortar, and tank ammunition plus pyrotechnic payloads) and expendable countermeasures (IR decoy flares, radar chaff, impulse cartridges) for the U.S. military and allied governments from three U.S. facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Ordnance and Expendable Countermeasures

NAICS

Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing (332993), Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing (332994), Explosives Manufacturing (32592)

SIC

Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Artillery, Mortar & Tank Munitions (IMABAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ordnance Components & Subassemblies (Casings, Liners, Guidance Sections) (IMABAHAL), Explosives, Energetics & Pyrotechnics (Military-Grade) (IMABAHAK), Ammunition Manufacturing (Small-, Medium- & Large-Caliber) (IMABAHAG)

Keywords

• Defense ordnance manufacturing
• Combustible ammunition components
• Expendable infrared flares
• Radar countermeasure chaff
• Military pyrotechnic devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Coachella

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Defense Products Manufacturing: Armtec generates revenue through the design, development, and manufacture of combustible ordnance products and expendable countermeasures for military customers. Revenue is derived from long-term government defense contracts with the U.S. military and allied governments for artillery ammunition, mortar ammunition, tank ammunition, infrared flares, radar chaff, and pyrotechnic devices.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Armtec Defense Technologies designs, develops, and manufactures combustible ordnance products (artillery ammunition components, mortar propellant containers, 120mm tank cartridge cases, pyrotechnic devices) and expendable countermeasures (infrared decoy flares and radar countermeasure chaff) for the U.S. military branches and allied governments. The company produces these items across three U.S. manufacturing facilities totaling over 435,000 square feet, including the world's only fully integrated chaff production operation in Lillington, North Carolina.

Product overview

Armtec Defense Technologies is a defense contractor producing the largest and most varied line of combustible ordnance and countermeasure products in the world. The company's portfolio consists of two core product categories: Expendable Countermeasures (Infrared Decoy Flares including ARM-001A/B, ARM-002A/B, ARM-090, ARM-091, M206, MJU-7A/B, and Impulse Cartridges; plus Radar Countermeasure Chaff including RR-129A/AL, RR-144A/AL, RR-170A/AL, RR-188/AL, and RR-180/AL) and Combustible Ordnance (artillery charges including Modular Artillery Charge System/MACS with M231/M232 components and M203A1 top zone charge, 120mm Combustible Cartridge Cases for tanks, Mortar Propellant Containers, and Pyrophoric Payloads including 40mm DNT M918E1 and M781E1 cartridges). The company operates manufacturing facilities in Coachella, California (combustible ordnance), East Camden, Arkansas (IR flare facilities), and Lillington, North Carolina (chaff facility).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Infrared Decoy Flares Heat-seeking missile countermeasures dispensed from military aircraft, available in standard U.S. inventory flares and ARM-series high-performing flares tailored for unique operational environments, produced at the East Camden, Arkansas facility.
• Radar Countermeasure Chaff Radar decoys designed to decoy radars and radar-guided missiles, offering broad-frequency coverage from S-band through Ka-band, high radar reflectivity, and minimal bird-nesting; produced at the Lillington, North Carolina facility, the world's only fully integrated chaff production operation.
• Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) Nitrocellulose-based modular artillery charge system featuring M231/M232 components that eliminates the need to dispose of unused charges, provides reduced cost and logistics chain, increased safety during transport and loading, extended range, and increased rates of fire.
• 120mm Combustible Cartridge Cases Nitrocellulose-based molded-fiber combustible cartridge case for 120mm tank ammunition, delivering high-pressure and high-velocity capability without extraction problems, increased muzzle velocities, and combat-proven performance.
• Mortar Propellant Containers Nitrocellulose-based mortar propelling charge containers, combat-proven standard on all U.S. mortar ammunition, featuring moisture resistance, wide climatic operation from –40°F to 140°F, and consistent muzzle velocity.
• Pyrophoric Payload Cartridges (40mm DNT M918E1 and M781E1) Iron-based pyrophoric powder payload cartridges (40mm DNT M918E1 High Velocity and M781E1 Low Velocity) that spontaneously ignite and burn when exposed to air, providing day/night visibility past 1,500 meters, non-dud range safety, and a 20+ year extended shelf life.
• Impulse Cartridges Pyrotechnic impulse cartridges used in countermeasures and ordnance systems for the deployment of flares and chaff from military aircraft and platforms.
• M203A1 Top Zone Charge Nitrocellulose-based igniter tube (top zone charge) used in artillery propellant systems to provide controlled ignition of modular charge zones.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million pounds of chaff produced annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• TransDigm GroupcoreOthersArmtec Defense Technologies is part of the TransDigm Group family of companies. Personal data may be shared with other entities in the TransDigm Group family as necessary for business purposes. TransDigm Group is the parent company of Armtec Defense Technologies.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• RUAG: Swiss defense company producing ammunition, propellants, and pyrotechnic components. RUAG competes with Armtec in the manufacture of ammunition components and combustible ordnance for European and allied militaries.
• Chemring Group: UK-headquartered defense company manufacturing expendable decoy countermeasures (chaff and IR flares) and energetic materials. Chemring is the most direct global competitor to Armtec's countermeasure franchise, serving the same U.S., UK, and allied air force customers.
• Nammo: Norwegian-headquartered defense manufacturer specializing in small-, medium-, and large-caliber ammunition, shoulder-fired systems, and rocket motors. Nammo is one of the closest comparables to Armtec's combustible ordnance and ammunition-propellant business, serving NATO militaries.
• Diehl Defence: German defense manufacturer of IR decoy flares, ship-borne decoy systems, and guided missiles. Diehl is a direct competitor to Armtec's infrared decoy flare line, supplying the Bundeswehr and other allied air forces.

Broad incumbents

• General Dynamics: U.S. defense prime with an ammunition and ordnance franchise (including tank and artillery ammunition). General Dynamics competes with Armtec in tank and artillery ammunition but as one segment of a much larger portfolio.
• L3Harris Technologies: Major U.S. defense prime with a sizable electronic warfare and countermeasures franchise (including expendable decoy systems and dispensers). L3Harris overlaps with Armtec in countermeasures and broader aircraft protection, but as part of a much wider portfolio.
• Lockheed Martin: Largest U.S. defense prime with major air, missile, and ordnance programs. Lockheed Martin's platforms generate demand for Armtec's expendables, but the company itself competes only adjacent to Armtec rather than directly in combustible ordnance or chaff.
• Northrop Grumman: U.S. defense prime producing IR countermeasures, DIRCM systems, and large-scale aircraft self-protection suites. Northrop is a broader incumbent competing with Armtec in the countermeasures adjacency, particularly for advanced U.S. and allied platforms.
• BAE Systems: Global defense prime with significant munitions, artillery, and combat vehicles programs. BAE competes with Armtec in large-caliber and tank ammunition as part of a broad platform portfolio rather than as a sole-source niche supplier.
• RTX (Raytheon): Major U.S. defense prime with missiles, advanced sensors, and integrated air defense systems. RTX competes adjacent to Armtec in countermeasure and munitions demand capture, but at the platform and systems-of-systems level rather than expendable components.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/armtecdefensetechnologies

Compliance1 record

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 →

Frequently asked questions about Armtec Defense Technologies