BRS Aerospace

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.

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

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

• Aircraft parachute systems
• Whole aircraft recovery
• General aviation safety
• Aviation safety equipment
• OEM parachute integration

Headquarters

HQ city

South Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Replacement Parts: Sale of individual replacement components including rockets, canisters, softpacks, and line cutter kits for various BRS system models.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Cirrus AircraftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated 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.
• CessnacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRS 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.
• BristellcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerFAA/EASA Part 23 certified system developed for Bristell B23 aircraft.
• ElixircoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerFAA/EASA Part 23 certified system developed for Elixir aircraft.
• TecnamcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerFAA/EASA Part 23 certified system developed for Tecnam P-Mentor aircraft.
• ICON AircraftsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRS systems available as original equipment for ICON aircraft models. ICON is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
• BlackwingsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRS systems available for Blackwing aircraft. Blackwing is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
• LancairsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRS systems available for Lancair aircraft. Lancair is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
• Sling AircraftsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRS systems available for Sling Aircraft. Sling is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
• CubCrafterssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRS systems available for CubCrafters aircraft. CubCrafters is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
• KitFoxsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRS systems available for KitFox aircraft. KitFox is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
• GlasairsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRS systems available for Glasair aircraft. Glasair is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
• FK (FK Aircraft)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRS systems available for FK aircraft. FK is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
• Comco IkarussecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRS systems available for Comco Ikarus aircraft. Comco Ikarus is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
• ZenairsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRS systems available for Zenair aircraft. Zenair is listed among 450+ aircraft models with BRS installations.
• ElektrasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRS systems available for Elektra aircraft. Elektra is listed among aircraft models with BRS installations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@brs_aerospace
• Xx.com/BRSaerospace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brs-aerospace

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 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 BRS Aerospace