What Dukane Seacom does

Dukane Seacom is a Sarasota, Florida-based designer and manufacturer of emergency locator technology for the aviation and maritime industries, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of HEICO Corporation within its Electronic Technologies Group. The company produces two principal product families: Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs), including the AeroELT family (DK-406-AF, DK-406-AFM, and the second-generation DK-406-DT) and the acquired RESCU 406 line (AFN2 and SG portable models); and Underwater Locator Beacons (ULBs) including the DK120/90, DK290 low-lithium variant, DK180 low-frequency beacon, DK140, DK350, and maritime DKM502 and DKM590 models. Technical differentiation centers on the only Second-Generation ELT-DT with MEOSAR satellite compatibility, spread-spectrum signaling, multi-axis MEMS crash sensors, self-contained GNSS receivers, and DO-227A thermal runaway containment. The company holds the world's largest ULB installed base at over 100,000 units across commercial, military, and business aviation platforms.

The business model is anchored in certified aerospace hardware sales through direct OEM supply agreements (Boeing, Bombardier) and a global network of authorized distributors and repair stations, supplemented by aftermarket revenue from battery replacement kits, test equipment, and FAA-certified repair and overhaul services. Revenue streams include ELT and ULB hardware sales, repair services through company-operated and authorized stations, and accessories. The company's certifications span FAA TSOs (C126c, C142b, C121b, C200a), EASA, UK CAA, COSPAS-SARSAT Type Approval, BSH maritime approval, and AS9100 Rev-D quality management, creating substantial regulatory barriers and multi-year design-in cycles with aircraft OEMs.

Strategic expansion has been driven by acquisition-led product line growth (RJE International ULB assets in 2015, Instrumar ELT line in 2018, Honeywell RESCU 406 ELT line in 2023) and by aligning the ELT-DT roadmap to ICAO's Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS) mandate. Forward demand indicators include 12 airlines selecting the DK-406-DT for over 1,200 new production aircraft, contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics for the HTT-40 trainer program, and an STC-equipped Ryanair B737-8200 fleet. Marketing and sales leverage industry trade shows (MRO Americas, NBAA, HAI HELI-EXPO, Army Aviation Summit, Aero India) alongside direct OEM engagement.

Name

Dukane Seacom

Legal name

Dukane Seacom Inc.

Website

https://dukaneseacom.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dukane Seacom, a HEICO subsidiary, designs and manufactures FAA-certified Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) and Underwater Locator Beacons (ULBs) for commercial aviation, business jets, military aircraft, and maritime markets, holding the world's largest ULB installed base.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Safety Equipment

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting) (IMAJAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring) (IMAJAJAI)

Keywords

• Underwater locator beacons
• Emergency locator transmitters
• Aviation distress tracking
• Flight recorder beacons
• Aircraft safety equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Sarasota

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs): Sale of ELT devices for commercial, business, and military aviation applications including fixed, portable, and distress tracking variants
2. Underwater Locator Beacons (ULBs): Sale of acoustic beacon devices installed on aircraft for underwater tracking of flight data and cockpit voice recorders
3. Repair and Overhaul Services: Authorized repair station services for ELT products including calibration, battery replacement, and certification support
4. Accessories and Replacement Parts: Battery replacement kits, test equipment, and maintenance accessories for ULB and ELT products

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Dukane Seacom designs, manufactures, and supports Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) and Underwater Locator Beacons (ULBs) for commercial, business, military, and maritime aviation. Its ELTs include the AeroELT family and the acquired RESCU 406 line, while its ULBs (including the DK120/90, DK180 Low Frequency, and DK290) are installed on flight data and cockpit voice recorders for underwater recovery. The company also provides authorized repair, overhaul, and battery replacement services through a global network of distributors and repair stations.

Product overview

Dukane Seacom is aHEICO Company specializing in emergency locator and underwater acoustic beacon technology for the aviation and marine industries. The product portfolio centers on two core product families: Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) including the AeroELT family (DK-406-DT, DK-406-AF, DK-406-AFM) and RESCU 406 products acquired from Honeywell; and Underwater Locator Beacons (ULBs) including the DK180 Low Frequency, DK290, DK120/90, and maritime-specific DKM series beacons. Accessories include ULB testers and battery replacement kits. Products support commercial aviation, business jets, military fixed-wing and rotorcraft, eVTOL platforms, and maritime vessel applications. The company holds TSOs from FAA, EASA, COSPAS-SARSAT Type Approval, UK CAA, and BSH certifications. Headquarters in Sarasota, FL.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AeroELT: Product family of Emergency Locator Transmitters including DK-406-AF, DK-406-DT, and portable ELTs.
• RESCU 406

Products and services

• DK-406-DT (AeroELT-DT) Second-Generation Distress Tracking Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT-DT) utilizing the MEOSAR satellite constellation for near-instantaneous global coverage, with spread-spectrum technology, 406 MHz distress and 121.5 MHz homing signals, capable of in-flight triggering to alert SAR before an accident. TSO-C126c and COSPAS-SARSAT Type Approved.
• DK-406-AF (AeroELT) Automatic Fixed Emergency Locator Transmitter with multi-axis MEMS crash sensor for automatic impact detection, self-contained GNSS receiver, and thermal runaway containment; designed for commercial, business, and eVTOL aircraft platforms.
• DK-406-AFM (AeroELT-AFM) Automatic Fixed ELT variant with modular design for flexible installation options across various aircraft types.
• RESCU 406 AFN2 Automatic Emergency Locator Transmitter transmitting on 121.5 MHz and 406.040 MHz frequencies, designed to aid Search & Rescue operations with automatic activation upon crash detection. Part of the Honeywell RESCU product line acquired in 2023.
• RESCU 406 SG Portable, rugged survival ELT with water-activated triggering and internal GPS, certified for land and marine deployment. Part of the acquired Honeywell RESCU product line with over 5,000 unit install base.
• DKM590 Maritime 90-Day ULB 90-Day Maritime Underwater Locator Beacon with low-lithium battery technology, BSH approved, meeting MSC.333 (90), MSC.163 (78), and SAE AS8045A:2011 requirements with common installation with existing 90-day ULBs.
• DK180 Low Frequency ULB Airframe-mounted Low Frequency Underwater Locator Beacon with extended detection range, FAA TSO-C200a and TSO-C142a certified, STC approved for Boeing 737, 747, 767, 777, 787, and Airbus A320 series, meeting SAE-AS6254a and ARINC-677 standards.
• DK290 90-Day ULB 90-Day Underwater Locator Beacon with low-lithium battery for enhanced safety and reduced hazardous goods shipping restrictions, FAA TSO-C121b and TSO-C142b certified, built on DK120/90 heritage with improved battery safety features.
• DK140 Recorder Beacon Underwater Locator Beacon installed on flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders, activates automatically upon water immersion, emitting acoustic signal detectable up to several kilometers.
• DK120/90 Recorder Beacon Pioneering FAA and EASA-certified ULB offering minimum 90 days of underwater operation, rated to 20,000 ft depth, with detection ranges up to approximately 4 km. Industry standard with largest install base.
• DKM502/90 Marine ULB 90-Day Marine Underwater Locator Beacon, BSH approved for maritime applications, part of established ULB product line for vessel voyage data recorders.
• DKM502 ULB Underwater Locator Beacon for maritime applications, standard operational life variant.
• DK485/K ULB Underwater Locator Beacon with standard operational life for aircraft flight recorder tracking.
• DK470 ULB Underwater Locator Beacon for commercial and military aircraft flight recorder applications.
• DK350 ULB Underwater Locator Beacon for aircraft flight recorder installation with standard operational life.
• DK350L Low-Frequency ULB Low-frequency variant of DK350 for extended detection range applications.
• TS500 ULD Tester Test equipment for underwater locator beacon testing and calibration verification.
• Battery Replacement Kits and Maintenance Accessories Replacement battery kits (810-2007/KVS with spanner wrench, 810-2008/K, 810-2042/K), dedicated spanner wrench (810-325), and PVC vice clamp bracket (810-546) for safe and efficient ULB servicing and compliance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 ULB units installed globally
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 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

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and strategic.

• UK Civil Aviation AuthoritycoreTechnology or Integration · 22 August 2025UK CAA awarded repair station certification for Radiant Power and Dukane Seacom, authorizing repair and overhaul of full product capabilities including ELTs, ULBs, and power distribution products.
• Turner AviationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 16 October 2023Designated as authorized repair center for Dukane Seacom's ELT AeroELT product line (formerly Honeywell RESCU). Turner Aviation holds CAA, EASA, FAA certifications and ISO 9001 accreditation with over 70 years of continuous CAA approval.
• SIKA Aerospace & Defense (Repair Station)regionalImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 2 April 2023SIKA appointed as authorized repair station in India (Bengaluru) providing Dukane Seacom test set calibration with plans to expand scope to additional products.
• Eirtech Aviation ServicesstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 8 September 2021Shannon, Ireland-based partner supporting Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) with DK-406-AF ELT for Ryanair B737-8200 fleet.
• SIKA Aerospace & DefensecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 November 2019Exclusive reseller agreement for Radiant Power and Dukane Seacom products in Indian OEM, aerospace, defense and space markets. Founded 1969, AS9001D certified, headquartered in Bangalore, India. Agreement extended in June 2022.
• Seal DynamicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommercial air transport reseller for Dukane Seacom products in the United States. Located at 2 Adams Avenue, Hauppauge, NY 11788. Provides after-hour AOG support.
• European Aviation & SupportregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropean sales representative for Dukane Seacom products. Contact: Julie Duchesne, based in Mouans-Sartoux, France.
• Panair LLCregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrazil-based partner (not a stocking distributor) for Dukane Seacom products. Located in São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Thales Group: Thales is a global avionics and aerospace incumbent; its cockpit, surveillance, and safety electronics portfolios intersect with Dukane Seacom's positioning on commercial and military aviation safety platforms.
• Safran Electronics & Defense: Through its ownership of Kannad, Orolia/McMurdo, and Sagem, Safran is one of the most relevant incumbents competing across Dukane Seacom's ELT, ULB, and distress beacon categories globally.
• L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a large aerospace and defense incumbent with search-and-rescue communications, avionics, and emergency locator subsystems that overlap with Dukane Seacom's portfolio on military and aerospace platforms.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell is the prior owner of the RESCU 406 ELT product line that Dukane Seacom acquired in 2023, and remains a broad avionics incumbent supplying cockpit, navigation, and safety electronics across the same Boeing and business-jet platforms that Dukane supports.

Emerging players

• ACK Technologies: ACK Technologies is a smaller aviation safety electronics manufacturer offering ELTs and strobes for general aviation and light business aircraft, overlapping with Dukane Seacom at the lower-volume / lower-complexity end of the ELT market.
• Emergency Beacon Corporation: Emergency Beacon Corporation manufactures maritime EPIRBs and aviation/marine emergency locator products, with a small portfolio that partially overlaps with Dukane Seacom's maritime ULB and aviation ELT adjacencies.

Direct peers

• Cobham Aerospace Communications: Cobham manufactures avionics and emergency locator products including beacons for aviation and defense markets. Cobham's safety electronics portfolio competes with Dukane Seacom in ELT and ULB categories for fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms.
• ACR Electronics (ACR/Artex): ACR Electronics / ACR Artex is one of the closest direct competitors to Dukane Seacom, manufacturing aviation ELTs (Artex) and maritime EPIRBs/PLBs. Both companies compete for OEM ELT sockets on commercial, business, and military aircraft, and both sell survival beacons for aviators and mariners.
• Kannad Aviation / Safran: Kannad Aviation (acquired by Safran) produces competing ELT product lines including the Kannad 406 AF and portable survival ELTs, directly overlapping Dukane Seacom's AeroELT and RESCU 406 product families in the OEM and retrofit markets.
• Orolia / McMurdo (Safran): Orolia, operating McMurdo and Ocean Signal brands under Safran, supplies distress beacons (EPIRBs, PLBs, ELTs) and is involved in SAR satellite ground systems. Overlaps with Dukane Seacom in MEOSAR-compatible beacons and maritime ULB-adjacent markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dukane-seacom-inc.

Compliance13 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Dukane Seacom