Astronautics (Israel): Integrated Avionics and Defense Systems for Air, Sea, and Land

For more than fifty years, Astronautics (Israel) has developed and produced avionics systems such as advanced cockpit displays (glass cockpit), mission computers, interface computers, air data computers, and integrated navigation and command-and-control suites for combat, transport, trainer aircraft, and helicopters. These systems, often forming the backbone of airborne mission capability, are supplied to both Israeli and global customers, including major aerospace corporations and air forces worldwide.

Integrated System Solutions

Beyond individual modules and subsystems, Astronautics specializes in delivering integrated solutions that combine in-house hardware, software, and algorithms into unified architectures. This approach enables seamless operation across air, land, and sea, allowing customers to field complete mission capabilities rather than isolated components.

Two prominent examples demonstrate this integration capability:

Integrated Navigation Systems for Modern Naval Vessels: Astronautics is a prominent supplier of navigation solutions for Israel’s and other navies’ advanced naval vessels. The suite consolidates multiple sensor inputs into a unified operational picture, filtering and validating the data before distributing it across shipboard networks. This ensures commanders and operators receive consistent, high-integrity information that supports precision maneuvering and enables weapons and mission systems to function at full potential in contested environments.

The Globus System: This tactical command, control, communications, and intelligence (C4I) solution is a core component of the Israeli Air Force’s transport fleet. It integrates operational mapping, intelligence layers, and mission planning into a single framework hosted on Astronautics’ avionics hardware and software. The system highlights the company’s ability to deliver end-to-end avionics architectures on tight schedules driven by urgent operational demands.

Certification Expertise

A defining feature of Astronautics’ aviation work is its rigid adherence to the strictest demands. The company designs systems in full compliance with the most demanding international civil aviation standards: DO-178C DAL-A for safety-critical software and DO-254 DAL-A for complex airborne hardware design. Meeting the industry’s most rigorous standards demonstrates Astronautics’ ability to deliver reliable, trusted avionics for both military and civilian applications.

Naval, Aviation, and Land Applications

While avionics remains the company’s core, Astronautics has broadened its capabilities to enhance naval and land forces. In the artillery domain, it supplies fire control and navigation systems with embedded algorithms. For naval operations, its navigation data fusion frameworks serve as infrastructure, enabling advanced vessels to operate with precision. On land, Astronautics provides ruggedized computers and vision systems, digital mapping tools, and vehicle control systems built for battlefield conditions.

The common theme across domains is integration: Each solution combines internally developed hardware, software, and advanced algorithms into a coherent system that directly supports mission effectiveness.

Engine & Fuel system 5×4 Smart display – F-5 Advanced trainer – display system upgrade by Astronautics

Photo: Courtesy of Astronautics

Tailored to Operational Needs

Astronautics rarely delivers generic catalog products. Systems are typically engineered from the outset to meet the precise operational and certification requirements defined by end users. To achieve this, the company manages every stage internally. Architecture definition and hardware design to software integration, production, and lifecycle support are all done in-house, bypassing reliance on subcontractors. This model allows for rapid adaptation when operational requirements shift and ensures continuous quality throughout the system’s service life.

Global and Local Markets

Roughly nearly 50% of Astronautics’ business is with Israeli end users, including the Ministry of Defense, operational corps, and prime contractors such as the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Elbit Systems Ltd., Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus SE, and its American parent company, Astronautics Corporation of America (USA). International customers often receive unique designs developed specifically for their needs, while systems first proven in Israel are also adapted for export. Compliance with stringent international certification standards, especially in aviation, ensures competitiveness in global markets.

Civilian applications also form a core part of the company’s portfolio. One example is a cargo-compartment monitoring and control system used in passenger-to-freighter aircraft conversions. By applying military-grade engineering to civilian projects, Astronautics has positioned itself as one of the few Israeli companies with extensive experience in civil aviation certification.

Human Capital and Knowledge Retention

Astronautics prides itself on its workforce, the pick of the crop. Engineers with operational backgrounds in the Air Force, Navy, and ground forces bring direct understanding of mission needs. Many continue to serve in reserve units, ensuring constant learning and knowledge development. Close collaboration with customers and teams ensures requirements are captured accurately and refined into practical solutions.

Flexibility Supported by Global Backing

Astronautics operates as a relatively small and agile organization, while at the same time benefiting from the support of its American parent corporation, Astronautics Corporation of America (USA). This structure combines long-term financial stability with the flexibility to move quickly, free of the bureaucracy that often slows larger defense contractors. It allows the company to invest in advanced technology assets without the pressure to yield immediate returns, ensuring a steady pipeline of innovation.

Recent Innovations

Astronautics continues to expand its portfolio with systems designed for the future battlefield:

• Celestial Attitude Determination System (CADS): By using celestial navigation principles developed at Astronautics, the system provides precise attitude determination with 0.5 mil accuracy at night and 1 mil during daytime, even in GNSS-denied environments. CADS is already combat-proven and in service with Israeli forces and industries.
• Celestial Location and Attitude System (CLAS): Also based on celestial navigation, this system provides location accuracy of 200 meters at night without GNSS signals, delivering a resilient alternative to satellite navigation.
• Interface Computers for Manned and Unmanned Platforms: Under new contracts, Astronautics is developing the central computing core for both conventional and autonomous aircraft, supporting emerging concepts of operation.

 

CLAS: Celestial Location & Attitude system –
Astronautics provides Navigation and Attitude in a GNSS denied environments.
Photo: Courtesy of Astronautics

Outlook

Astronautics prepares an operational environment shaped by artificial intelligence, autonomy, and cyber resilience. By combining avionics certification expertise, integrated hardware-software-algorithm design, and multi-domain experience, the company positions itself as a one-stop shop for advanced defense electronics.

The vision for the coming years is clear: to expand globally while preserving the agility and customer intimacy that have characterized Astronautics since its founding. With proven systems in service across air, sea, and land platforms and led by a workforce rooted in both engineering and operational practice, Astronautics is set to remain a trusted partner in the design of next-generation defense capabilities.

 

For More Information:

Website: www.astronautics.co.il

Email: astro@astro.co.il