Thommen Aircraft Equipment

What Thommen Aircraft Equipment does

Thommen Aircraft Equipment AG is a privately held Swiss manufacturer of certified digital avionics for the global aerospace industry. Founded in 1853 as a watchmaker (originally REVUE THOMMEN AG), the company entered aviation in 1916 with aircraft chronographs for the Swiss Air Force and has maintained continuous aviation operations for over a century. The product portfolio comprises three core hardware lines: (1) Air Data Computers and Displays — notably the AC32 family (vibrating cylinder pressure sensor-based, available in standard, RVSM, and supersonic variants) and the AD32/AD30/AD20 altimeter family; (2) Digital Clocks and Chronographs — including the CM20 and CM30 2ATI electronic chronometers and the Stratotimer 3ATI multifunction chronograph; and (3) the 3ATI High-Resolution Display Module and customizable STRATODISPLAY units for OEM and retrofit cockpit/mission applications. Technologies include vibrating cylinder and solid-state pressure sensors, proprietary SSEC algorithms for RVSM compliance, NVIS compatibility per MIL-STD-3009, ARINC 429 digital interfaces, and DO-178B certified software. The company operates an ISO class 5 cleanroom for in-house LCD cutting, lamination, and display manufacturing.

Name

Thommen Aircraft Equipment

Legal name

THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT AG

Website

https://thommen.aero

Company type

Private

Founded year

1916

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Avionics Equipment

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Avionics, Mission Computers & Flight Controls (IMABAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK), Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) & Avionics Computing Platforms (IMABAFAI)

Keywords

• Digital air data computers
• Aircraft altimeter displays
• Avionics manufacturing
• Flight chronometers
• Cockpit display solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Muttenz

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 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. Aircraft Equipment Sales: THOMMEN manufactures and sells digital avionics equipment including Air Data Computers, Air Data Displays, Digital Chronometers, and Display Solutions for OEM production and retrofit markets. The entire product line serves both new aircraft production and existing fleet retrofit programs.
2. Maintenance and Repair Services: As an EASA Part-145 approved Maintenance Organization, THOMMEN provides aftermarket services including inspection, recertification, troubleshooting, repair, upgrades, reconfigurations, and incorporation of service bulletins (SB). Services are backed by 3 authorized service stations in London, Dallas, and Singapore.
3. Display Replacement Program: Customized aftermarket display solutions for legacy CRT or LCD cockpit and mission displays that are obsolete or no longer serviceable. Covers fixed and rotary wing aircraft applications.
4. Display Services: ISO class 5 certified cleanroom services including LCD display cutting to customized sizes and lamination services for aircraft cockpits or mission systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Thommen Aircraft Equipment manufactures digital avionics for civil and military fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. The product portfolio centers on three hardware lines: Air Data Computers and Displays (AC32, AD32, AD30, AD20, AD32 DEA80), Digital Clocks and Chronographs (CM20, CM30, Stratotimer), and customizable 3ATI High-Resolution Display Modules. The company also provides EASA Part-145 maintenance, display replacement programs for legacy CRT/LCD cockpits, ISO class 5 cleanroom display cutting/lamination services, and NVIS compatibility testing.

Product overview

Thommen Aircraft Equipment is a Swiss manufacturer of mission equipment, displays, air data computers, altimeters, digital clocks, and chronographs for helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and UAVs. The product portfolio consists of three core hardware lines: (1) Air Data Computers and Displays — including the AC32 Digital Air Data Computer family (standard, RVSM, supersonic variants), the AD32/AD30/AD20 altimeter family, and the MD21/MD32 Mach airspeed indicators; (2) Digital Clocks and Chronographs — the CM20 and CM30 2ATI electronic chronometers and the Stratotimer 3ATI multifunction chronograph; and (3) the 3ATI High-Resolution Display Module for OEM and retrofit cockpit/mission applications. Complementing hardware, Thommen offers Display Solutions services including a Display Replacement Program for legacy CRT/LCD upgrades, ISO class 5 cleanroom display cutting and laminating, and Night Vision Compatibility Testing. Maintenance services (EASA Part-145 approved) cover inspection, repair, recertification, upgrades, and service bulletin incorporation. A software tool — the AC32 Configurator — launched in 2022 enables customer-side configuration of the AC32 product. Several product lines (searchlights, HCU-1 hand controller, AVLight X, AvSax, MD21/MD32 indicators, DC20 chronograph) have been discontinued.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• THOMMEN: Primary brand for avionics and aircraft equipment products including air data computers, displays, and digital clocks
• SWISSCHRONO
• STRATOTIMER
• STRATODISPLAY
• AvSax
• AVLight X

Products and services

• Digital Air Data Computer AC32 Measures barometric altitude and airspeed using vibrating cylinder pressure sensors for both static and dynamic (pitot) pressure. Available in standard, RVSM-compliant, and supersonic versions for OEM and retrofit markets.
• Digital Air Data Display AD32 Combines an air data computer with a digital altimeter in a 3ATI form factor. Provides corrected altitude, baro setting, selected altitude, and alerter flags via ARINC 429 output to avionics systems.
• Electronic Altimeter with Remote Input AD30 Displays aircraft altitude data received from an external source with an integrated altitude alert function in a standard form factor.
• Digital Encoding Altimeter AD32 DEA80 Encoding altimeter with extended altitude range suited for aircraft categories reaching altitudes above standard ranges. Combines altitude display with Gillham Gray Code encoded altitude output.
• Electronic Standby Altimeter AD20 Direct replacement for mechanical standby altimeters. Uses solid-state pressure sensor with analog pointer and sunlight-readable LCD. Range -1,000 to 55,000 feet, certified to ETSO-C10b.
• CM30 Electronic Chronometer 2ATI Swiss-made precision chronometer for civil and military aircraft. Features solid-state LCD, 24-hour UTC/Local Time clock, flight timer, elapsed timer, and NVIS compatibility. RTCA/DO-178B SW Level D certified.
• CM20 Electronic Chronometer 2ATI Swiss-made precision chronometer for civil and military aircraft. Features 24-hour UTC clock, elapsed timer, maintenance timer, flight timer with pre-settable alarm, and RS-232 serial interface. Time base accuracy better than ±0.2s/24h.
• Stratotimer 3ATI Advanced Multifunction Aircraft Chronograph 3ATI multifunction aircraft clock with state-of-the-art high-resolution TFT display. Combines clock, elapsed time, and flight timer functions in a single cockpit instrument.
• Customizable 3ATI Multifunction Display (MFD) Customized cockpit display applications based on the STRATODISPLAY unit, offering customization possibilities for specific cockpit and mission requirements.
• Display Replacement Program Tailor-made aftermarket display solutions replacing obsolete CRT or LCD cockpit and mission displays. Covers fixed and rotary wing aircraft applications with customized sizing and in-house lamination.
• Display Cutting and Laminating Services ISO class 5 certified cleanroom services including LCD display cutting to custom sizes and lamination for aircraft cockpits and mission systems, compliant with aerospace standards.
• Maintenance Services EASA Part-145 approved maintenance including inspection/recertification, troubleshooting and repair, upgrades and reconfigurations, and incorporation of service bulletins for Thommen products.
• Night Vision Compatibility Testing Service NVIS photometric measurements according to MIL-STD-3009 and MIL-L-85762A in a photometric test lab. Includes UV, visible, and infrared light measurement, high-intensity searchlight beam testing, and spectrometer analysis.
• AC32 Configurator Software Desktop software tool introduced September 2022 enabling customers to configure the AC32 Digital Air Data Computer parameters and settings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 800 AD32 units delivered for Eastern aircraft installations within 6 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PREO Aerospace LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 April 2021Exclusive partnership for North American sales and marketing support. THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT ENGAGES PREO AEROSPACE FOR NORTH AMERICAN SALES AND MARKETING SUPPORT announced April 13, 2021. PREO Aerospace serves as the exclusive channel partner for THOMMEN products in the North American market.
• Scandinavian AvionicsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 20 May 2014Maintenance agreement signed at EBACE Geneva for all Legacy Business Products and HSL product lines. Partnership designed to boost service level for THOMMEN customers in the eastern globe region.
• AVIBESTminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 30 July 2013AVIBEST dealer established THOMMEN CM20 digital chronometer on Xi'an MA-60/600 aircraft program in China. Partnership supported establishment of new digital chronometer on international aircraft new production programs.
• Antonov CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership for supply and installation of THOMMEN AD32 RVSM panel mount air data computers on Antonov aircraft including An-124-100 cargo aircraft modernization. Agreement signed October 29, 2015 for An-124 fleet upgrade - 'largest serial-production airlifter on the world.' Partnership spans 8+ years of growing cooperation covering entire scope of ANTONOV types.
• Transas AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for Engineering Excellence and state-of-the-art Development and Testing Capacities for Hardware and Software to the latest EASA/FAA and Military Standards. THOMMEN expanding offerings through this partnership for future product opportunities.
• SATHOM SARLminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSATHOM (a SATORI-MRO subsidiary) took over production and support of THOMMEN mechanical aircraft instruments and chronographs (3Axx, 5Cxx, B13-18, Q13-18) in June 2016. Located in Waldenburg, Switzerland. SATHOM handles mechanical business of THOMMEN effective June 1, 2016.
• Air Dallas Instruments Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerService center partnership providing first-class and reliable service. Air Dallas Instruments serves as authorized service station with FAA-approved repair station capability. Located at 811 Office Park Circle, Lewisville, TX 75057.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• L3Harris Technologies: Large defense and avionics prime with significant presence in military cockpit displays, mission computers, and air data systems. Competes with Thommen in defense aviation retrofit and OEM display categories, especially in military helicopters and transport aircraft.
• Garmin: Dominant avionics supplier in general aviation and business jets with integrated flight decks, air data computers, and transponders. While Garmin's core is glass-cockpit integrated systems, it overlaps with Thommen at the air data computer and display level in business/corporate aviation.
• Collins Aerospace (RTX): Major avionics prime supplying air data systems, flight controls, and integrated cockpit suites for commercial and military platforms. Competes with Thommen in air data and display categories, particularly in military transport and helicopter retrofits.
• Thales: European avionics prime with strong air data, cockpit display, and mission system offerings, particularly in military and helicopter segments. Direct overlap with Thommen in air data computers and mission displays, especially in European defense markets.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Tier 1 avionics prime with extensive air data computer, integrated flight deck, and cockpit display portfolios across commercial, business, and military aviation. Overlaps directly with Thommen's AC32/AD32/chronometer category but at vastly larger scale and with full integrated cockpit suite offerings.

Direct peers

• FreeFlight Systems: Specialized avionics manufacturer focused on certified avionics, particularly ADS-B, GPS, and air data systems for business aviation, rotorcraft, and special-mission platforms. Comparable niche-certified positioning relative to Thommen's RVSM and ARINC 429-based products.
• Avidyne Corporation: Independent avionics supplier for general aviation and light turbine markets, with a strong retrofit and certified-product focus. Comparable to Thommen in its specialization and form/fit/function retrofit positioning, although Avidyne is more oriented to the general aviation segment.
• Astronautics Corporation of America: Supplier of avionics displays, air data systems, and integrated avionics for military and business aviation, including helicopter and transport platforms. Closely comparable to Thommen in offering certified cockpit instruments and displays with similar OEM and retrofit customer profiles.
• Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions: Supplies ruggedized mission computers, displays, and air data processing modules for military helicopters and fixed-wing platforms. Closest mid-sized US/NATO analog to Thommen in certified, niche military avionics with similar go-to-market dynamics in defense retrofits and special-mission aircraft.
• Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics: US-based niche avionics manufacturer of standby instruments, air data, and digital clocks with EASA/FAA certified products. Closely comparable to Thommen in size, certification profile, and product mix of certified analog/digital cockpit instruments for business and military aviation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ThommenAero
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/503623

Compliance5 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 Thommen Aircraft Equipment