CAVU AEROSPACE UK

What CAVU AEROSPACE UK does

CAVU Aerospace UK is the UK operating subsidiary of US-headquartered CAVU Aerospace Inc., a privately held, family-owned space-avionics group founded in 2010. The Stirling, Scotland-based entity designs and manufactures flight-proven radiation-tolerant onboard computers (OBCs), edge-AI computing platforms, thermal control units, satellite cameras and frame grabbers, power conditioning and distribution systems (PCDUs), and communication subsystems for satellite manufacturers, launch-vehicle companies, space agencies, and defense organizations. Named customers span NASA, ESA, DLR, JAXA, CNES, Airbus Defence and Space, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, OHB, AST SpaceMobile, CEIIA, and Australia Defence.

The company's technology stack centers on Microchip PolarFire SoC FPGAs (selected for inherent flash-based ZeroFIT SEU immunity that eliminates the need for SRAM configuration scrubbing or complex EDAC) and the next-generation Microchip PIC64 RISC-V architecture. Product families include the OBC-Cube-Polar (>4000 DMIPS CubeSat computer), OBC-Hyper-Polar (dual MPFS250T/460T variants for higher-end missions), PF-VPX OBC (3U SpaceVPX / SOSA-aligned system controller), CDH-FS (fully redundant command and data handling), and the Polar Edge / Typhoon Edge / Tartan Edge AI computers pairing PolarFire FPGAs with NVIDIA Jetson modules for up to 275 TOPS of onboard inference. The group holds ECSS, ASA, ISO 9001, AFRA Diamond, FAA, and EASA certifications, Part 145 maintenance certification, and ESA Entity No. 1000042906, and is an authorized Microchip design partner and SOSA member.

CAVU generates revenue primarily through direct enterprise hardware sales — quote-based pricing with no published list prices — to space and defense primes and agencies, supplemented by distribution access via Microchip's global channel. Go-to-market is event-driven, with regular presence at IAC, Space-Comm Expo, SmallSat conferences, Paris Space Week, and the 40th Space Symposium, and is supported by government trade programs (UK Space Agency Pavilion, UK Department for Business & Trade North America). Beyond the UK headquarters, the group operates US offices in Stuttgart (AR), Roswell (NM), Gilbert (AZ) and Hollywood (FL), and a Middle East office in Dubai. A longer-horizon adjacency, the SkyCharge sub-brand, targets space-based solar power and wireless power transmission for electric aviation and mobility.

Name

CAVU AEROSPACE UK

Legal name

CAVU Aerospace UK

Website

https://cavuaerospace.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CAVU Aerospace UK designs and manufactures radiation-tolerant onboard computers, edge-AI computing platforms, thermal control units, and satellite subsystems for space agencies, satellite manufacturers, launch-vehicle companies, and defense primes across global markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Avionics and Satellite Subsystems

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMABACAI

Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing/Spacecraft & Launch Vehicle Manufacturing

SECONDARYIMABACAD

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing/Spacecraft & Launch Vehicle Manufacturing

SECONDARYIMABACAF

Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing/Spacecraft & Launch Vehicle Manufacturing

Keywords

• Radiation-tolerant onboard computers
• Satellite command data handling
• CubeSat avionics systems
• Space-grade edge AI computing
• Space thermal control units

Headquarters

HQ city

Stirling

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Onboard Computers: Sale of flight-proven onboard computers (OBCs) for satellites, spacecraft, rovers and launch vehicles. Includes OBC-Polar, OBC-Hyper Polar, OBC-64, PF-VPX OBC and related computing platforms.
2. Hardware Sales - Satellite Cameras: Sale of flight-proven satellite cameras including s.LDU.345, RavenEye series for CubeSat and SmallSat applications, supporting Earth observation and defense imaging missions.
3. Hardware Sales - Thermal Control Systems: Sale of Thermal Control Units (TCU) and related thermal management products for satellite systems, supporting thermal regulation across LEO, MEO, GEO and deep-space missions.
4. Hardware Sales - Power Systems: Sale of power distribution units (PCDU), power systems, and space solar cells (30% and 32% triple junction GaAs solar cells) and solar arrays.
5. Hardware Sales - Edge AI Computers: Sale of edge computing platforms including PolarEdge and TyphoonEdge combining PolarFire FPGA with NVIDIA Jetson modules for AI processing in space applications.
6. Hardware Sales - Communication Systems: Sale of communication products including X-Transmitter, Nano-X, and Nano-TTC for satellite telemetry and communications.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CAVU Aerospace UK designs and manufactures flight-proven radiation-tolerant onboard computers (OBCs), edge AI computing platforms, thermal control units, satellite cameras, power systems, and communication subsystems for satellites, spacecraft, rovers, and launch vehicles. The portfolio is centered on Microchip PolarFire SoC FPGA and PIC64 architectures with inherent SEU immunity, serving CubeSat through large satellite and launch vehicle platforms.

Product overview

CAVU Aerospace UK manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of flight-proven satellite subsystems for Command & Data Handling, focused on onboard computers, edge AI computing, thermal management, imaging, and power systems. The product line centers on multiple OBC families (OBC-64 with PIC64/RISC-V architecture, OBC-Cube-Polar and OBC-Hyper-Polar based on Microchip PolarFire SoC FPGAs) serving CubeSat through large satellite platforms. Edge computing is delivered through Polar Edge and Typhoon Edge systems that combine PolarFire FPGAs with NVIDIA Jetson modules for AI/ML processing. Supporting subsystems include the Thermal Control Unit (TCU) for thermal management, s.LDU.345 camera systems and FG-1 frame grabbers for imaging, and various communication transmitters (X-Transmitter, Nano-X, Nano-TTC). As a Microchip Design Partner and SOSA member, CAVU provides integrated avionics solutions with radiation tolerance for LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep-space missions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SkyCharge: Space-based solar power and wireless power transmission technology for electric aviation and mobility applications.

Products and services

• OBC-64 Next-generation spacecraft avionics onboard computer built on Microchip PIC64 architecture with 8x RISC-V SiFive X280 vector cores, delivering approximately 26K DMIPS and up to 2 TOPS AI performance. Radiation-tolerant design for demanding space missions.
• OBC-Cube-Polar CubeSat onboard computer leveraging Microchip PolarFire SoC FPGA technology with SEU immunity and greater than 4000 DMIPS processing power. Designed for reliable CubeSat and small satellite missions.
• OBC-Hyper-Polar
• PF-VPX OBC
• Polar Edge
• Typhoon Edge
• CDH-FS
• Thermal Control Unit (TCU)
• TCU-L
• s.LDU.345 Camera
• RavenEye-3U-MSS (SWIR)
• RavenEye-3U-HSV-L (VNIR)
• RavenEye-3U-HSV-S (VNIR)
• FG-1 Frame Grabber
• FG-Polar Frame Grabber
• Payload Process-1
• PCDU
• 30% Triple Junction GaAs Solar Cell
• 32% Triple Junction GaAs Solar Cell
• Space Solar Array
• X-Transmitter
• Nano-X
• Nano-TTC
• OBC-104
• VREC-264 Video Recorder
• Instrument Control Unit (ICU)
• MySAT

Quantifiable outcome

• Modules in orbit with proven reliability
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers12 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

Integration1 record

AI capability9 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, minor, core and flagship.

• UK Department for Business & Trade - North AmericastrategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025CAVU Aerospace was featured by the UK Department for Business & Trade North America, supporting export efforts to North American markets and providing visibility for UK space technology companies.
• Munich ReminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Munich Re provides complete satellite insurance coverage for CAVU Aerospace components, covering all phases from pre-launch tests to in-orbit operations. This partnership provides peace of mind for satellite operators using CAVU products.
• Microchip TechnologycoreTechnology or IntegrationCAVU Aerospace is an authorized Microchip design partner and participant in the High-Performance Spaceflight Computing (HPSC) program. This partnership provides early access to PIC64 technology and state-of-the-art processors, giving technical advantage in the onboard computer market. Products are built on Microchip PolarFire SoC FPGA and PIC64 architectures.
• SOSA (Sensor Open Systems Architecture)coreTechnology or IntegrationCAVU Aerospace is a member of SOSA, enabling products to be aligned with the latest open systems architecture standards. Their PF-VPX OBC is SOSA Space Aligned, ensuring interoperability with other SOSA-compliant defense and aerospace systems.
• UK Space AgencyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected as one of four leading UK technology companies to showcase innovations at the UK Pavilion during IAC 2025 in Sydney, Stand 88. This government partnership validates the company's position as a leading UK space technology innovator.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CAVU_uk
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CavuAerospaceUK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cavu-aerospace-uk

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 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 CAVU AEROSPACE UK