Aeroflex
Aeroflex was a U.S. aerospace, defense, communications, and electronics company supplying test equipment, RF and microwave components, and radiation-hardened semiconductor solutions.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Aeroflex was an American technology company whose businesses centered on electronic test and measurement equipment, radio-frequency and microwave components, and high-reliability semiconductor products. Its customers and end users were primarily found in wireless communications, aerospace, avionics, space systems, defense, industrial electronics, medical equipment, and engineering laboratories rather than in consumer markets. The company was headquartered in Plainview, New York, and operated through businesses that combined instrumentation with specialized microelectronics. The company’s Test Solutions activities supplied equipment for developing, manufacturing, installing, and maintaining wireless communications and avionics systems. Its portfolio included wireless communications test platforms, signal generators, spectrum and signal analyzers, avionics test systems, and automated or production-oriented test equipment. The TM500 LTE test system was identified as one of its leading products during fiscal 2010, reflecting the importance of mobile-network testing to the business. Aeroflex also incorporated capabilities obtained through acquisitions of established test-equipment companies, including IFR Systems, Willtek, and VI Technology. Aeroflex Microelectronic Solutions operated as a fabless semiconductor business. It supplied radiation-hardened and high-reliability integrated circuits, RF and microwave discrete devices, mixed-signal and digital application-specific integrated circuits, motion-control products, and related components. These technologies supported space and avionics applications, defense systems, secure data processing, medical imaging, industrial control, and other environments where reliability, radiation tolerance, or long product life were important. The Colorado Springs operation was associated with mixed-signal ASICs, standard products, and circuit-card assembly for aerospace, defense, medical, industrial, and security customers. The company expanded through acquisitions during the 2000s. It acquired IFR Systems in 2002, adding a test-equipment business with roots extending back to the 1930s. After being taken private by a consortium of private-equity firms in 2007, Aeroflex continued to broaden its technology base through acquisitions of Gaisler Research, VI Technology, Willtek, Radiation Assured Devices, and Advanced Control Components. These transactions strengthened its positions in space-oriented semiconductor intellectual property, test automation, wireless testing, radiation-hardened devices, and control components. Aeroflex became subject to U.S. export-control enforcement involving alleged violations of the Arms Export Control Act and International Traffic in Arms Regulations. In 2013, it entered into a consent agreement with the U.S. Department of State and paid a civil penalty of $4 million, while an additional $4 million penalty was waived subject to approved remedial compliance spending. The company disclosed most of the violations, cooperated with the investigation, and described measures including a restructured compliance organization and revised company-wide controls. In May 2014, Cobham acquired Aeroflex for approximately $1.46 billion. The acquisition integrated Aeroflex’s businesses into Cobham’s aerospace and communications portfolio. In March 2018, Viavi Solutions acquired Cobham AvComm and Wireless Test and Measurement, businesses that had previously formed part of Aeroflex, for $455 million. Those operations continued to use the Aeroflex name for a transitional period reportedly lasting until March 2021. As a result, Aeroflex no longer exists as an independent company, although elements of its products, technology, and brand heritage continued within successor businesses.
History
Aeroflex developed as a technology company serving specialized electronics markets, particularly communications, aerospace, avionics, space, and defense. Its activities ultimately combined two related but distinct capabilities: electronic test and measurement, and high-reliability microelectronics. The test-equipment side inherited capabilities from businesses with long histories in radio and electronic instrumentation. Aeroflex acquired IFR Systems in 2002. IFR had been founded in 1937 and manufactured equipment used to test radio and communications systems. IFR itself had previously acquired Marconi Instruments in 1998, bringing additional British instrumentation heritage into the broader Aeroflex portfolio. Later acquisitions added test automation through VI Technology in 2009 and wireless testing through Willtek in 2010. These businesses supported network equipment manufacturers, operators, avionics organizations, defense contractors, and engineering laboratories. The microelectronics side was organized around Aeroflex Microelectronic Solutions. It operated as a fabless producer of radiation-hardened and high-reliability semiconductor devices, including RF and microwave components, mixed-signal and digital ASICs, and motion-control products. Aeroflex’s Colorado Springs operation supplied integrated circuits and related services for aerospace, defense, medical, industrial, and security markets. Its technologies were suited to applications where resistance to radiation, dependable operation, and long-term availability were important, including space electronics and safety-critical systems. Aeroflex pursued a broader acquisition strategy after it was taken private in 2007 by investors including Veritas Capital, Golden Gate Capital, and GS Direct. In 2008 it acquired Gaisler Research, a developer of radiation-hardened intellectual property for space applications associated with the LEON processor. In 2010 it acquired Radiation Assured Devices, subsequently renamed Aeroflex RAD, and Advanced Control Components. These deals strengthened its semiconductor and component activities and complemented the company’s test-equipment operations. During fiscal 2010, the microelectronics and test-solutions groups contributed roughly comparable portions of sales according to the available reference material. Space, avionics, and defense were particularly important markets for the microelectronics business, while wireless communications testing was a central part of the test-equipment portfolio. The TM500 LTE test system was described as Aeroflex’s top-selling product in fiscal 2010. Aeroflex also faced an export-control compliance matter. In 2013, the U.S. Department of State announced a settlement related to alleged violations of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Aeroflex entered into a consent agreement and paid a $4 million civil penalty. A further $4 million penalty was waived conditionally, subject to Department approval of specified remedial compliance expenditures. The company had voluntarily disclosed most of the violations addressed by the agreement and undertook changes to its compliance organization, product-testing procedures, and company-wide ITAR program. Cobham acquired Aeroflex in May 2014 for approximately $1.46 billion. The transaction ended Aeroflex’s independent corporate ownership and placed its operations within a larger aerospace and communications group. In March 2018, Viavi Solutions acquired Cobham AvComm and Wireless Test and Measurement for $455 million. These businesses included operations that had previously been part of Aeroflex and continued to use the Aeroflex name during a transition period reportedly ending in March 2021. The standalone Aeroflex company is therefore defunct, although successor organizations retained portions of its products, technology, and market presence.
- 2018
Selected businesses sold to Viavi Solutions
[3]Viavi Solutions acquired Cobham’s AvComm and Wireless Test and Measurement businesses, including former Aeroflex operations.
- 2014
Acquired by Cobham
[1]Cobham acquired Aeroflex for approximately $1.46 billion.
- 2013
Export-control consent agreement
[2]The company settled alleged export-control violations with the U.S. Department of State and committed to extensive compliance remediation.
- 2010
Expansion into wireless and radiation-hardened technologies
[1]Aeroflex acquired Willtek, Radiation Assured Devices, and Advanced Control Components, broadening its wireless test, rad-hard semiconductor, and control-component portfolios.
- 2009
VI Technology acquired
[1]The acquisition expanded Aeroflex’s automated test and test-system integration capabilities.
- 2008
Gaisler Research acquired
[1]Aeroflex acquired Gaisler Research, strengthening its radiation-hardened space semiconductor intellectual-property capabilities.
- 2007
Aeroflex became privately held
[1]A private-equity consortium including Veritas Capital, Golden Gate Capital, and GS Direct took the company private.
- 2002
Acquisition of IFR Systems
[1]Aeroflex acquired IFR Systems, adding a major communications and electronic test-equipment business with historical roots dating to 1937.
Products and positioning
A specialist supplier of electronic test, measurement, and high-reliability semiconductor technologies for communications, aerospace, space, avionics, defense, and other mission-critical engineering applications.
Wireless communications test equipment
TM500 LTE test system
The TM500 was a wireless communications testing platform used in the development and verification of LTE and other mobile-network technologies. It was identified in the available reference material as Aeroflex’s top-selling product in fiscal 2010, underscoring the company’s role in testing network infrastructure and communications equipment.
Avionics test equipment
Avionics test systems
Aeroflex supplied specialized test equipment for avionics electronics and aircraft communications systems. These products were intended for engineering, production, maintenance, and qualification activities in aerospace and defense environments.
Electronic test and measurement
Signal generators and spectrum analyzers
The company’s instrumentation portfolio included signal generators, spectrum analyzers, and related measurement equipment used to create, inspect, and characterize radio-frequency and electronic signals. Such tools served communications, aerospace, defense, and laboratory applications.
Semiconductors
Radiation-hardened integrated circuits
Aeroflex Microelectronic Solutions produced radiation-hardened and high-reliability semiconductor devices for space, avionics, and defense applications. The portfolio included RF and microwave devices, mixed-signal and digital ASICs, and other components designed for demanding operating environments.
Manufacturing test systems
Automated test equipment
Aeroflex’s ATE activities included in-circuit test systems, automated optical inspection, and functional-test platforms. These systems supported production-line verification and fault detection for electronic assemblies.
Controversies
2013
Export-control violations settlement
The U.S. Department of State settled allegations that Aeroflex violated the Arms Export Control Act and International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Aeroflex paid a $4 million civil penalty and agreed to compliance improvements; an additional $4 million penalty was conditionally waived in connection with approved remediation costs.
Brand decisions
2018
Sale of AvComm and Wireless Test and Measurement businessesM&ABackground
Cobham reorganized and divested selected communications test businesses that included former Aeroflex operations.
Action taken
Viavi Solutions acquired Cobham AvComm and Wireless Test and Measurement for $455 million.
Aftermath
The acquired units continued using the Aeroflex name during a transition period reportedly ending in March 2021.
Acquisition value. $455 million (March 2018)
2014
Cobham acquisitionM&ABackground
Cobham sought to expand its aerospace, communications, and defense technology portfolio through the purchase of Aeroflex.
Action taken
Cobham acquired Aeroflex in May 2014 for approximately $1.46 billion.
Aftermath
Aeroflex ceased to operate as an independent company and its activities were integrated into Cobham businesses.
Acquisition value. $1.46 billion (May 2014)
2007
Transition to private-equity ownershipStrategyBackground
Aeroflex was acquired by a consortium of private-equity firms, changing the company’s ownership structure and providing the context for subsequent portfolio expansion.
Action taken
The investor group took Aeroflex private and supported further acquisitions in test automation, wireless testing, and specialized semiconductor technologies.
Aftermath
Aeroflex continued expanding its technology and market coverage before being acquired by Cobham in 2014.
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