BRS Aerospace
BRS Aerospace designs, manufactures, and services Whole Aircraft Recovery Parachute Systems (WARPS) that lower entire aircraft to the ground in in-flight emergencies. It serves general aviation OEMs (Cirrus, Cessna, Bristell, Tecnam) and pilot owners across 450+ aircraft models globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersSouth Saint Paul, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What BRS Aerospace does
BRS Aerospace (d.b.a. Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc.) designs, manufactures, and services Whole Aircraft Recovery Parachute Systems (WARPS) — rocket-extracted recovery systems that lower an entire aircraft to the ground in the event of loss of control, structural failure, or other in-flight emergency. Founded in 1980 by Boris Popov in Saint Paul, Minnesota after he survived a 400-foot hang-glider accident in 1975, the company is now headquartered in Pinebluff, North Carolina with manufacturing operations and a workforce in the 11–50 range. Its product line comprises the BRS-5 (sizes 500–1500), BRS-6 (sizes 600–1800), and BRS-7 (LSA/small aircraft) families available in Canister, Softpack, and VLS configurations, plus FAA/EASA Part 23 certified systems for Cessna 172 and 182 retrofits and additional certified platforms (Bristell B23, Elixir, Tecnam P-Mentor). The company has integrated its systems across 450+ aircraft models and reports 511 documented lives saved.
The business operates three complementary revenue streams: (1) hardware sales of new parachute systems to OEMs and through authorized installation centers, (2) recurring rebuild and recertification services (priced from roughly $1,000 to over $12,000 per system), and (3) replacement parts (rockets, canisters, softpacks, line cutter kits). Distribution is hybrid — OEM-embedded partnerships (notably Cirrus Aircraft since 2001) drive type-certified installations, an authorized Cessna installation center network handles retrofits, direct website/phone sales serve the experimental and LSA owner-operator long tail, and three regional service hubs in the US, Germany (Speyer and Locktow), and New Zealand provide post-sale rebuild services globally. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified through June 2027 and is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding, parent company, or public listing despite a firmographic reference to an OTCQB symbol that does not appear substantiated in the corporate data.
BRS Aerospace firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BRS Aerospace
- Legal name
- Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc.
- Website
- https://brsaerospace.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- BRS Aerospace designs, manufactures, and services Whole Aircraft Recovery Parachute Systems (WARPS) that lower entire aircraft to the ground in in-flight emergencies. It serves general aviation OEMs (Cirrus, Cessna, Bristell, Tecnam) and pilot owners across 450+ aircraft models globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BRS Aerospace industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aviation Safety Equipment
- NAICS
- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)
- SIC
- Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Conversion & Modification (STC/Completions) (IMABAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAJ)
Keywords
Where BRS Aerospace is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- South Saint Paul
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
BRS Aerospace business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Whole Aircraft Recovery Parachute System Sales: Sale of rocket-extracted parachute recovery systems for new aircraft installations and retrofits. Includes system components such as parachutes, rockets, containers, and activation mechanisms.
- Rebuild and Maintenance Services: Recurring rebuild services for existing parachute systems including inspection, repacking, rocket replacement, and recertification. Services offered through US headquarters and European service centers.
- Replacement Parts: Sale of individual replacement components including rockets, canisters, softpacks, and line cutter kits for various BRS system models.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | BRS-5 Series Rebuild Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | BRS-6 Series Rebuild Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | BRS-7 Series Rebuild Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Specialty Programs - Cessna Certified Systems |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
BRS Aerospace product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BRS Aerospace designs, manufactures, and services rocket-extracted Whole Aircraft Recovery Parachute Systems (WARPS) for general aviation aircraft. The company sells FAA/EASA Part 23 certified retrofit systems for Cessna 172 and 182 aircraft and develops OEM-integrated systems qualified for more than 450 aircraft models, including experimental, light-sport, type-certified, and military platforms. Recurring rebuild, inspection, and replacement services are delivered through US, European, and Australian service centers.
Product overview
BRS Aerospace offers a portfolio of Whole Aircraft Recovery Parachute Systems (WARPS) — rocket-extracted parachute systems that can lower an entire aircraft to the ground in the event of loss of control, structural failure, or other in-flight emergencies. The product line consists of three main parachute system models: BRS-5 (sizes 500-1500), BRS-6 (sizes 600-1800), and BRS-7 (LSA/smaller aircraft), each available in Canister, Softpack, and VLS configurations. Additionally, BRS offers FAA/EASA Part 23 certified systems specifically for Cessna 172 and Cessna 182 aircraft through a network of authorized installation centers. The company has developed and qualified installations for over 450 aircraft models including experimental, LSA, and type-certified aircraft from manufacturers such as Cirrus, Icon, Blackwing, and others.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WARPS (Whole Aircraft Recovery Parachute System): The flagship product - a whole aircraft recovery parachute system that can lower an entire aircraft to the ground in the event of loss of control, structural failure, or other in-flight emergency.
- Cirrus Airframe Parachute System
Products and services
- BRS-5 Parachute System Whole Aircraft Recovery Parachute System with rocket extraction, offered in multiple sizes (500, 750, 900, 1050, 1200, 1500) and configurations including Canister, Softpack, and VLS variants for a range of general aviation aircraft.
- BRS-6 Parachute System Whole Aircraft Recovery Parachute System with rocket extraction, offered in sizes 600, 800, 1050, 1350, 1350HS, 1600, and 1800, with Canister, Softpack, and VLS configurations for mid- to larger-class general aviation aircraft.
- BRS-7 Parachute System Whole Aircraft Recovery Parachute System designed for lighter aircraft, offered in 500 Softpack, 500 Canister, and LSA Softpack configurations for light-sport and smaller aircraft.
- Cessna 172/182 Parachute System FAA Part 23 / EASA CS23 certified Whole Aircraft Recovery Parachute System specifically designed for Cessna 172 and Cessna 182 aircraft — the only certified retrofit option for these models in the fleet.
- Cirrus Airframe Parachute System Whole aircraft recovery parachute system co-developed with Cirrus Aircraft and integrated as original equipment on the Cirrus SR20 and SR22 — the first recovery parachute system used on a line of type-certified aircraft.
- Rebuild and Maintenance Services Recurring inspection, repacking, rocket replacement, and recertification services for installed BRS parachute systems, delivered through the Pinebluff, NC headquarters and service centers in Germany and Australia/New Zealand.
- Replacement Parts Sale of individual replacement components for BRS parachute systems, including rockets, canisters, softpacks, and line cutter kits, used to maintain and refresh installed systems.
Quantifiable outcome
- 511 lives saved through successful parachute deployments
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use BRS Aerospace
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
BRS Aerospace technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
BRS Aerospace partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- Cirrus AircraftcoreCollaborated with Cirrus Aircraft to develop the first Recovery Parachute System used on a line of type certified aircraft: the Cirrus SR20, followed by the Cirrus SR22 in 2001. This partnership established the standard for integrated aircraft safety systems.
- CessnacoreBRS is the only Whole Aircraft Recovery Parachute System certified as a retrofit for Cessna 172s and Cessna 182s. FAA/EASA Part 23 certified systems developed and available through authorized installation centers.
- BristellcoreFAA/EASA Part 23 certified system developed for Bristell B23 aircraft.
- ElixircoreFAA/EASA Part 23 certified system developed for Elixir aircraft.
- TecnamcoreFAA/EASA Part 23 certified system developed for Tecnam P-Mentor aircraft.
- ICON AircraftsecondaryBRS systems available as original equipment for ICON aircraft models. ICON is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
- BlackwingsecondaryBRS systems available for Blackwing aircraft. Blackwing is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
- LancairsecondaryBRS systems available for Lancair aircraft. Lancair is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
- Sling AircraftsecondaryBRS systems available for Sling Aircraft. Sling is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
- CubCrafterssecondaryBRS systems available for CubCrafters aircraft. CubCrafters is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
- KitFoxsecondaryBRS systems available for KitFox aircraft. KitFox is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
- GlasairsecondaryBRS systems available for Glasair aircraft. Glasair is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
- FK (FK Aircraft)secondaryBRS systems available for FK aircraft. FK is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
- Comco IkarussecondaryBRS systems available for Comco Ikarus aircraft. Comco Ikarus is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
- ZenairsecondaryBRS systems available for Zenair aircraft. Zenair is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
- ElektrasecondaryBRS systems available for Elektra aircraft. Elektra is listed among aircraft models with BRS installations.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BRS Aerospace competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Sling Aircraft: South African light aircraft OEM that integrates BRS parachutes as available equipment on its high-wing models. Others classification because Sling is a customer/distribution partner rather than a competitor, but is directly relevant as a comparable OEM relationship that drives BRS system volumes.
- Cirrus Aircraft: OEM partner and largest customer for BRS's CAPS system on SR20/SR22. Cirrus integrated BRS parachutes as standard equipment, making it both a key distribution channel and a benchmark for what type-certified safety integration looks like — directly comparable because the relationship defines BRS's flagship OEM business model.
Broad incumbents
- Martin-Baker: UK-based manufacturer of ejection seats and airborne life support systems for military aircraft. Broad incumbent sharing the safety-critical ejection/recovery value proposition with BRS, but addressing pilot ejection rather than whole-aircraft recovery.
- Honeywell Aerospace: Large aerospace systems supplier offering enhanced ground proximity warning, flight safety, and emergency systems. Broad incumbent because Honeywell competes for the safety-systems slot on certified aircraft OEMs that BRS targets, though without a parachute-specific offering.
- Garmin: Major avionics manufacturer whose Autoland autonomous emergency landing system represents an architectural alternative to BRS's whole-aircraft parachute for last-resort safety. Broad incumbent because Garmin competes for the same safety-spend budget on new certified aircraft that BRS pursues for OEM integrations.
- Airborne Systems: Designer and manufacturer of personnel parachutes, aerial delivery systems, and military parachute products. Broad incumbent because Airborne operates in the broader parachute/aerial recovery space that overlaps with BRS's defense personnel parachute and aerial delivery product lines.
Direct peers
- ParaZero Drone Safety Systems: Israeli company that designs and manufactures drone recovery parachute systems using similar rocket-deployed technology. Direct peer because both firms apply ballistic parachute deployment to aerial platforms, though ParaZero focuses on UAVs rather than manned aircraft.
- Drone Rescue Systems: Austrian manufacturer of autonomous safety parachutes for commercial and industrial drones. Direct peer applying parachute-based recovery to aerial platforms, serving a similar safety-critical regulatory use case that overlaps with BRS's UAV ambitions.
- Indemnis Technologies: Drone parachute recovery company that built a ballistic-deployed safety parachute for commercial drone operations. Direct peer due to shared ballistic parachute deployment DNA, though Indemnis targets the enterprise/commercial UAS market where BRS also references UAV expansion.
Regional players
- Butler Parachute Systems: US-based manufacturer of personnel and sport parachutes for skydiving, military, and aerial delivery applications. Regional player in the broader parachute manufacturing category with overlapping manufacturing competencies but no direct overlap in BRS's whole-aircraft recovery niche.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
BRS Aerospace social profiles
Digital presenceBRS Aerospace compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
BRS Aerospace financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BRS Aerospace leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
BRS Aerospace subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
BRS Aerospace funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BRS Aerospace 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 BRS Aerospace
What does BRS Aerospace do?
BRS Aerospace designs, manufactures, and services rocket-extracted Whole Aircraft Recovery Parachute Systems (WARPS) for general aviation aircraft. The company sells FAA/EASA Part 23 certified retrofit systems for Cessna 172 and 182 aircraft and develops OEM-integrated systems qualified for more than 450 aircraft models, including experimental, light-sport, type-certified, and military platforms. Recurring rebuild, inspection, and replacement services are delivered through US, European, and Australian service centers.
Is BRS Aerospace a public or private company?
BRS Aerospace is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was BRS Aerospace founded?
BRS Aerospace was founded in 1980. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BRS Aerospace based?
BRS Aerospace is headquartered in South Saint Paul, United States, in the North America region.
How does BRS Aerospace make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Whole Aircraft Recovery Parachute System Sales are the primary driver. The others are rebuild and Maintenance Services and replacement Parts.
Who are BRS Aerospace's main competitors?
Others on record are Sling Aircraft and Cirrus Aircraft. Broad incumbents are Martin-Baker, Honeywell Aerospace, Garmin and Airborne Systems. Direct peers are ParaZero Drone Safety Systems, Drone Rescue Systems and Indemnis Technologies. Butler Parachute Systems is listed as a regional player.
Does BRS Aerospace have an API?
No public API is recorded for BRS Aerospace.
What industry is BRS Aerospace in?
BRS Aerospace's product category is Aviation Safety Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAAAI, Fixed-Wing Aircraft Conversion & Modification (STC/Completions), with a secondary code of IMABAAAJ, Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 336413 and its SIC code is 3728.