Defense Engineering Corporation

What Defense Engineering Corporation does

Defense Engineering Corporation, Inc. (DEC) is a privately held defense services firm headquartered in Beavercreek, Ohio, founded in 2007 and operating with 11–50 employees. The company delivers research, development, and test and evaluation (R&D/T&E) services to the U.S. Department of Defense, with a stated capability profile spanning antenna design, fabrication and test; printed circuit board (PCB) design; embedded systems; EO/IR/RF multispectral sensor development; multi-function RF systems; RFSoC-based solutions; and signal processing. Its president, Jim Utt, leads the firm with sustained continuity since founding.

DEC's technology stack centers on Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and the Air Force Research Laboratory's AFSIM (Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling) environment, used for electronic warfare, multi-function RF, and long-range kill chain analysis. The firm has packaged portions of this methodology into DT2K (Digital Transformation Toolkit), a productized digital engineering offering intended to support DoD digital transformation workflows. Capability statements highlight integration across EO/IR, RF, and sensor hardware with simulation-driven design verification.

Commercially, DEC operates as a small business government contractor, generating revenue through DoD service contracts, R&D task orders, and likely subcontractor relationships with defense primes. Pricing mechanics are consistent with standard DoD contract types (cost-plus, time-and-materials, or fixed-price R&D awards). The firm is privately held with no disclosed external funding, no public M&A activity, no patent filings, and no industry award recognition listed — indicating a deliberately low public profile typical of small cleared defense services shops that rely on relationship-driven capture rather than branded market presence.

Name

Defense Engineering Corporation

Legal name

Defense Engineering Corporation, Inc.

Website

https://defengcorp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Defense Engineering Corporation is a Beavercreek, Ohio-based defense services firm delivering R&D and test and evaluation support to the U.S. Department of Defense, with specialization in RF/EO/IR sensor design, model-based systems engineering, and AFSIM-based electronic warfare simulation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Engineering and Electronic Warfare RDT&E Services

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Engineering Services (54133), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Services-Engineering Services (8711), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Power Supplies, RF/Microwave Components & Ruggedized Electronics (IMABAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Defense R&D, Test, Evaluation & Innovation (BPAIAHAC), Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Electronics for Weapons (IMABAGAH), Integrated Air & Missile Defense (IAMD) Systems (IMABAOAD)

Keywords

• Defense engineering services
• Electronic warfare systems
• Antenna design fabrication
• Model-based systems engineering
• Radio frequency solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Beavercreek

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Defense Contracts: DEC delivers high quality research, development, test and evaluation services to the Department of Defense and industry partners. The company specializes in sensors, communication and electronic warfare, developing long range kill chain technologies for warfighting requirements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Defense Engineering Corporation is a defense contractor that delivers research, development, test, and evaluation services to the U.S. Department of Defense and industry partners, specializing in sensors, communication, and electronic warfare systems. The company builds innovative prototype sensor systems and components—including antennas, optics, and signal-processing hardware—through capabilities spanning AFSIM simulation, antenna design/fabrication/testing, custom PCBs, the proprietary Digital Transformation Toolkit (DT2K), embedded systems, EO/IR/RF multispectral sensors, Model-Based Systems Engineering, Multi-Function RF systems, RFSoC solutions, and signal processing services.

Product overview

Defense Engineering Corporation (DEC) is a defense contractor delivering research, development, test, and evaluation services to the Department of Defense and industry partners. The company operates as a unified services organization rather than a software product platform, providing specialized engineering capabilities across the electromagnetic spectrum. The core offerings include AFSIM-based simulation and analysis services, antenna design/fabrication/testing, custom PCB design, the proprietary Digital Transformation Toolkit (DT2K), embedded systems development, EO/IR/RF and multispectral sensor development, MBSE services, multi-function RF systems, RFSoC solutions, and signal processing services. These capabilities are applied to sensors, communication, and electronic warfare domains, supporting Global Integrated ISR, attritable unmanned aircraft, and long range kill chain technologies for warfighting requirements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AFSIM Expertise Services Engineering services using the Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling (AFSIM) to analyze, design, and optimize complex defense systems and missions, including mission simulation, operational scenario analysis, integration with MBSE workflows, design of experiments, and interfacing with Cameo, MATLAB, and Python. Targeted at DoD mission-critical needs.
• Antenna Design, Fabrication, and Testing Complete antenna development service covering design with commercial full-wave design suites, fabrication via PCB manufacturing, CNC, and additive (3D printing) manufacturing with metal, composites, and advanced substrates, plus rigorous testing in controlled and outdoor environments including anechoic chambers. Serves communication, radar, and space technology applications for defense and civilian systems.
• Custom Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) Custom PCB design service tailored to meet specific requirements for advanced electronic devices and systems, including mixed-signal and high-speed digital PCBs that require advanced design knowledge and techniques for space-optimized, reliable electronics.
• Digital Transformation Toolkit (DT2K) DEC's proprietary Digital Transformation Toolkit incorporating AFSIM as a core component for mission simulation and tradespace analysis, providing a structured framework for integrating AFSIM into broader digital engineering workflows and enabling DoD organizations to model, simulate, and optimize systems.
• Embedded Systems Development Design and implementation of purpose-built embedded systems utilizing Embedded Linux, FPGAs, and microcontrollers, including embedded software (bare-metal code or Linux drivers and application code) and custom FPGA firmware for hardware acceleration of processing and control tasks in real-time applications.
• EO/IR/RF and Multispectral Sensor Development Development of advanced Electro-Optical, Infrared, and Radio Frequency technologies and multispectral systems for defense, surveillance, and communication, combining EO/IR (cameras, lasers, lidar for imaging and targeting) with RF (radio waves for communication, radar, and signal processing from distributed platforms) for surveillance, targeting, remote sensing, and electronic warfare applications.
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) MBSE services leveraging Object-Oriented Systems Engineering Methodology (OOSEM) with sophisticated SysML modeling through Cameo Systems Modeler, providing sensors and systems modeling, requirements traceability, and integration with AFSIM and physics-based models (MATLAB, Python) for DoD acquisition transition.
• Multi-Function RF Systems Advanced Multi-Function RF systems combining broadband planar and conformal antennas with state-of-the-art beamforming technologies and re-configurable digital/analog back ends, integrating communication, radar, electronic warfare (EW), and signal intelligence (SIGINT) functions and demonstrated through rapid prototype manufacturing.
• Radio Frequency System on Chip (RFSoC) Solutions Solutions built on Xilinx RFSoC devices combining ARM processors, Ultrascale+ FPGA fabric, and high-performance ADCs and DACs into a single die, supporting multi-Gigasample rates for 5G networks, radar, and satellite communications and enabling compact, efficient, and powerful RF systems with integrated RF mixing and deterministic real-time tuning for frequency hopping operations.
• Signal Processing Services Signal analysis, modification, and interpretation services for extracting valuable information and enhancing signal quality, supporting communications, radar, audio, and image processing applications. Key tasks include filtering, modulation, compression, and detection/recognition for electronic warfare and radar systems.

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability8 records

Feature7 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Leidos Holdings: Large defense and intelligence contractor with significant sensor, electronic warfare, and signals processing capabilities serving the DoD. Comparable to DEC as a defense engineering services provider focused on EW and ISR, though at much greater scale and scope.
• Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC): Major DoD engineering services contractor with sensor integration, electronic warfare, and systems engineering practices. Comparable to DEC in mission focus (R&D and T&E for defense) and customer base, but operates at considerably larger scale.
• L3Harris Technologies: Prime contractor with deep multi-function RF, electronic warfare, and SIGINT portfolio. Comparable to DEC's multi-function RF and EW focus, though L3Harris is a large-scale manufacturer with established prime programs.
• CACI International: Defense and intelligence services firm providing engineering, EW, and sensor systems support to the DoD. Comparable to DEC's defense R&D services and government customer base, larger and broader in scope.
• Raytheon (RTX): Major defense prime with significant RF, EW, and sensor portfolios relevant to long range kill chain programs. Comparable to DEC as a DoD customer and overlapping EW/RF capabilities, though at vastly greater scale.

Direct peers

• SRC Inc. Not-for-profit defense R&D company specializing in electronic warfare, radar, and signal processing solutions for the DoD. Comparable to DEC's defense R&D and EW/sensor focus and similar customer base, with a comparable mid-size scale.
• Mercury Systems: Specialized manufacturer of RF, microwave, and digital subsystems for defense EW, radar, and SIGINT applications. Highly comparable to DEC's RF/multi-function RF and embedded systems work, with a similar mission-focused product orientation.

Emerging players

• BlueHalo: Mid-size defense technology company building RF, EW, directed energy, and space capabilities for the DoD. Comparable to DEC's RF, EW, and sensor development focus, but with broader portfolio and stronger prime contractor relationships.
• Applied Signal Technology / Maxar (Skyfire): Provider of SIGINT and signal processing capabilities for defense and intelligence customers. Comparable to DEC's signal processing and RF/SIGINT focus, though focused more on space and intelligence community missions.

Regional players

• Battelle Memorial Institute: Large R&D and engineering services organization headquartered in the Dayton, OH region with extensive DoD sensor, EW, and CBRN work. Comparable to DEC's defense R&D services and proximity to Wright-Patterson AFB, though much larger and broader.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DefenseEngineeringCorporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Defense Engineering Corporation