Air-Lock
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersMilford, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Air-Lock does
Air-Lock, Incorporated is a privately held, precision aerospace hardware manufacturer headquartered at 108 Gulf Street, Milford, Connecticut, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of David Clark Company, Inc. The company designs, develops, and manufactures sealed connectors, bearings, and associated life-support hardware for pressure suits used by high-altitude aircraft pilots and astronauts. Its product portfolio centers on the polycarbonate bubble pressure helmet and visor assemblies originally developed for the Apollo program and still serving Shuttle and ISS EVA astronauts, the Extravehicular Visor Assembly (EVVA) with its proprietary Advanced Solar Controlled Coating (ASCC), the carbon/graphite composite Hard Upper Torso (HUT) developed for NASA's MK-III spacesuit technology demonstrator, and a suite of structural and life-support components including the 4-Bearing Shoulder Joint, carbon composite ankle bearings, composite glove disconnect bearings, Body Seal Closure (BSC), and SCU/DCM multiple connectors that deliver oxygen, potable water, and cooling water to the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU).
Air-Lock's underlying technology stack integrates proprietary polycarbonate forming equipment, Physical Vapor Deposition thin-film coating (co-developed with DRLI), carbon fiber composite layup, and precision elastomer molding with seal cross-sections down to .006 inches. The company holds clean room assembly and testing capabilities and operates under NASA NHB 5300.4 (ID-2) and DOD MIL-Q-9858 quality system certifications, supported by customer-specific flow-down requirements from major aerospace primes.
The business model is B2B contract manufacturing on a quote-based, direct-sales basis to government agencies (NASA) and named defense prime contractors including Boeing, Lockheed, McDonnell Douglas, and General Dynamics. Revenue mechanics are tied to long-cycle, sole-source flight hardware programs with no disclosed pricing, no public revenue figures, and no commercial or SMB customer base. Headcount is in the 11-50 range, the company is privately held under David Clark Company, and operations have been continuous for well over half a century.
Air-Lock firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Air-Lock
- Legal name
- Air-Lock, Incorporated
- Website
- https://airlockinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Air-Lock industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aerospace Hardware (Pressure Suit Components and Life Support Systems)
- NAICS
- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aerospace Electrical Wiring Interconnect Systems (EWIS) & Harnesses (IMABANAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Aerospace Bearings, Bushings & Motion Components (IMABANAB), Aerospace Seals, Gaskets, O-Rings & Elastomeric Components (IMABANAF), Military Aerospace Fuel, Hydraulic & Environmental Control Systems (IMABAMAJ), Doors, Hatches, Canopies & Access Panels (IMABAEAF)
Keywords
Where Air-Lock is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milford
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Air-Lock business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Air-Lock product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Air-Lock designs, develops, and manufactures specialized sealed air-lock connectors and bearings used as critical components in pressure suits for high-altitude aircraft pilots and astronauts. Its product portfolio includes polycarbonate bubble pressure helmets and visor assemblies, Extravehicular Visor Assemblies (EVVA), Advanced Solar Controlled Coating (ASCC) Sun Visors, carbon composite Hard Upper Torsos, ankle and shoulder bearings, glove disconnect bearing assemblies, Body Seal Closures, SCU/DCM multiple connectors, and chemical/biological clean connectors supporting life support systems for NASA, defense, and military applications.
Product overview
Air-Lock is a specialized aerospace hardware manufacturer producing critical components for pressure suits and life support systems. The company offers a portfolio of interconnected products including sealed connectors and bearings for pressure suits, polycarbonate bubble helmets and visor assemblies, composite Hard Upper Torso structures, and specialized connectors (SCU, DCM, Body Seal Closure). These products work together as an integrated system for astronaut and pilot life support—connectors deliver oxygen and water, the helmet provides pressure enclosure and visibility, the Hard Upper Torso serves as the structural core mounting the Portable Life Support System, and the composite bearing assemblies (shoulder, ankle, glove) enable mobility. All products are designed, developed, and manufactured under one roof for the highest quality and reliability in hazardous environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sealed Air-Lock Connectors and Bearings
- Polycarbonate Bubble Pressure Helmet and Visor Assemblies
- Chemical/Biological Clean Connector
- Extravehicular Visor Assembly (EVVA)
Companies that use Air-Lock
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Air-Lock technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Air-Lock partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- David Clark Company, Inc.coreDavid Clark Company is the parent company of Air-Lock. Air-Lock is described as 'A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of David Clark Company Incorporated.' David Clark is a well-known manufacturer of aviation safety equipment including flight helmets and protective gear.
- NASA Johnson Space CentercoreNASA Johnson Space Center partnered with Air-Lock for the development and manufacture of the MK-III Hard Upper Torso spacesuit technology demonstrator. The lightweight composite Hard Upper Torso (HUT) was developed and manufactured for NASA's JSC for use with the advanced spacesuit technology demonstrator.
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Air-Lock competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Glenair: Glenair is a leading manufacturer of aerospace connectors, cables, and interconnect hardware for military and aerospace applications. Directly comparable in sealed/quick-disconnect connector manufacturing for aerospace and defense markets.
- Paragon Space Development Corporation: Paragon specializes in environmental control and life-support systems (ECLSS) and pressure-suit subcomponents for NASA and commercial spaceflight. Comparable to Air-Lock's life-support connectors, oxygen/water umbilicals, and EVA hardware product line.
- ILC Dover: ILC Dover is the primary NASA spacesuit prime contractor (manufacturer of the EMU) and a leading producer of high-pressure inflatable structures and protective equipment. Directly comparable to Air-Lock as a NASA-qualified spacesuit and life-support hardware manufacturer.
- Oceaneering Space Systems: Oceaneering's Space Systems division develops spacesuits and crew survival systems and supplies EVA hardware to NASA. Overlaps directly with Air-Lock on pressure-suit subcomponents, life-support hardware, and EVA tooling.
Broad incumbents
- Collins Aerospace (RTX): Collins Aerospace supplies life-support, oxygen, and pressure-suit systems for US and allied military pilots and astronauts, including the actual suit architecture for several human-rated platforms. Broader incumbent serving the same end markets with overlapping sealed-connector, oxygen, and pressure-control product capabilities.
- Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell manufactures aerospace life-support components, pressure regulators, and pilot systems for commercial and military aircraft. Operates broadly in the same aerospace hardware and life-support ecosystem as Air-Lock, even though it does not focus on spacesuits.
Emerging players
- Axiom Space: Axiom Space is developing next-generation spacesuits and commercial LEO habitats. Represents an emerging spacesuit integrator that could be a customer for Air-Lock's legacy pressure-suit components and could also become a competitor if it vertically integrates more hardware.
- Final Frontier Design: Final Frontier Design develops commercial and suborbital pressure suits for space tourism and research. Emerging player in the pressure-suit niche that targets a portion of the same customer use cases (high-altitude and suborbital pressure protection) as Air-Lock.
Others
- David Clark Company (parent): David Clark Company is Air-Lock's parent and manufactures aviation helmets, protective clothing, and communication systems for pilots and astronauts. Closely related through ownership and overlapping product categories in flight helmets/aviation life-support.
Regional players
- Zvezda (Scientific Production Association): Zvezda is the Russian manufacturer of Sokol, Orlan, and other spacesuits, and a major producer of pressure-suit and life-support hardware for the Russian space program. International peer to Air-Lock in pressure suit and EVA systems manufacturing.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Air-Lock social profiles
Digital presenceAir-Lock financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Air-Lock leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Air-Lock funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Air-Lock 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 Air-Lock
What does Air-Lock do?
Air-Lock designs, develops, and manufactures specialized sealed air-lock connectors and bearings used as critical components in pressure suits for high-altitude aircraft pilots and astronauts. Its product portfolio includes polycarbonate bubble pressure helmets and visor assemblies, Extravehicular Visor Assemblies (EVVA), Advanced Solar Controlled Coating (ASCC) Sun Visors, carbon composite Hard Upper Torsos, ankle and shoulder bearings, glove disconnect bearing assemblies, Body Seal Closures, SCU/DCM multiple connectors, and chemical/biological clean connectors supporting life support systems for NASA, defense, and military applications.
Is Air-Lock a public or private company?
Air-Lock is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Air-Lock founded?
Air-Lock was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Air-Lock based?
Air-Lock is headquartered in Milford, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Air-Lock's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Glenair, Paragon Space Development Corporation, ILC Dover and Oceaneering Space Systems. Broad incumbents are Collins Aerospace (RTX) and Honeywell Aerospace. Emerging players are Axiom Space and Final Frontier Design. David Clark Company (parent) is listed as an others. Zvezda (Scientific Production Association) is listed as a regional player.
Does Air-Lock have an API?
No public API is recorded for Air-Lock.
What industry is Air-Lock in?
Air-Lock's product category is Aerospace Hardware (Pressure Suit Components and Life Support Systems). Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABANAD, Aerospace Electrical Wiring Interconnect Systems (EWIS) & Harnesses, with a secondary code of IMABANAB, Aerospace Bearings, Bushings & Motion Components. Its NAICS code is 336413 and its SIC code is 3728.