August Electronics manufactures electronics for aerospace and defense applications where consistent quality is non-negotiable, traceability is mandatory, and attention to detail is required. We support complex aerospace and defense assemblies with the credentials, quality systems, and manufacturing expertise these programs demand.
The aerospace and defense industry stands as one of the world’s most advanced and sophisticated sectors, overseeing the design, development, and production of aircraft, spacecraft, and the intricate systems and components integral to their functioning. Central to this industry is manufacturing, a vital process that not only gives life to sophisticated products but also plays a crucial role in defense technology.
Aerospace manufacturing, covering the full spectrum of designing, evolving, and fabricating aircraft and spacecraft, extends its reach to defense applications. This includes the development of military aircraft, surveillance drones, and defense satellites, reinforcing the industry’s significance in national security.
In sectors like aerospace and defense, where equipment failure can have severe consequences, customers rightfully prioritize compliance with stringent quality standards. Industry-specific certifications are often a prerequisite for collaboration, ensuring peace of mind for our clients. That is where our Controlled Goods Program registration and Joint Certification Program certification come in, demonstrating our commitment to delivering excellence and meeting the highest standards in every aspect of our manufacturing services.
OUR CAPABILITIES
Our supply chain management involves sourcing and procurement of components through a diversified global supplier network, with proactive lifecycle and obsolescence monitoring. Our team provides visibility into sourcing risks, lead times, and identifies suitable alternatives before shortages affect your production schedule.
We are registered with Canada’s Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and certified under the Joint Certification Program (JCP). This enables our team to legally handle, store, and exchange unclassified military technical data from Canada’s Department of National Defense (DND) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
We perform end-to-end testing and inspections to ensure rigorous quality assurance and control at each phase of the aerospace and defense electronics manufacturing process. This includes 3D automated optical inspection (AOI), functional testing, and dielectric testing, depending on your program specifications and applicable industry regulations.
We support both sub-assembly and full systems assembly for aerospace defense applications, combining PCB assemblies, cable harness assemblies, and mechanical components into finished builds. Keeping integration under one roof means consistent quality controls and full traceability.
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
We begin every aerospace electronics manufacturing process with a thorough review of your technical documentation and manufacturing specs to fully align on scope and schedule expectations. Getting this right upfront prevents delays and misalignments later in the production process.
After requirements are aligned, we procure all components against your confirmed bill of materials (BOM), with every component logged, verified, and documented before it enters production to maintain complete traceability. We manage procurement proactively to get ahead of supply chain disruptions while meeting the documentation and quality standards aerospace programs require.
PCBs are assembled using surface mount technology (SMT) and through-hole technology, with each board barcoded and tracked throughout production for full traceability.
100% automated pre-oven and post-reflow automated optical inspection (AOI) is performed to detect any placement errors, solder defects, or marking discrepancies and ensure every assembly meets your manufacturing requirements.
PCBs, cable harnesses, enclosures, and other mechanical components are assembled into finished systems using documented processes and controlled assembly procedures. Each build is verified against your specifications before progressing to final testing and inspection.
All assemblies are tested to your specifications and inspected through visual inspection, AOI, functional testing, and customer-specific testing. Our ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certified quality systems, with IPC Class 3 standards applied as required by your program, support consistent manufacturing, documentation control, and traceability throughout the full manufacturing process.
TESTIMONIALS
WHY AUGUST ELECTRONICS
Aerospace and defense programs rarely follow a standard template. We adapt our manufacturing processes to meet the specific requirements of each aerospace project, whether that involves sourcing hard-to-find electronic components or accommodating engineering changes during production. With no fixed minimum order quantity, we can support programs of varying sizes and complexity.
Every assembly we produce carries a unique barcode linked to its component lot codes, inspection records, and test results. That record follows every unit from the first operation through final shipment.
We build to IPC-A-610G Class 3 standards, the highest IPC workmanship standard for aerospace applications. Every stage of production is overseen by IPC-certified technicians, with first-off inspections approved before assembly continues and non-conformances tracked and root-caused before any product ships.
Fewer handoffs mean tighter quality control, faster problem resolution, and clearer communication throughout the process. As an aerospace EMS provider, we serve as a single aerospace and defense manufacturing partner accountable for every stage of your build.
Our rigorous quality control and testing strategies eliminate risks and ensure your product’s reliability. All aerospace electronics undergo dielectric testing, functional testing, and AQL inspections to verify safety and functionality.
RESOURCE LIBRARY
CONTACT US
We are registered with Canada’s Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and certified under the Joint Certification Program (JCP). These allow us to handle controlled goods and exchange unclassified military technical data with authorized Canadian and U.S. defense contractors. We can also support assemblies built to IPC-A-610G Class 3 requirements. Class 3 is the highest IPC workmanship standard, applied to electronics where consistent quality is expected across every unit, and assemblies must endure extreme environments.
While we hold certifications for defense manufacturing, some aerospace applications may require additional certifications, particularly AS9100, and the implementation of a comprehensive FOD (Foreign Object Debris) program. Currently, August does not possess either. If your program specifies these as requirements, reach out, and we can help you determine whether we’re the right fit.
We operate under ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016 certified quality management systems, with IPC-certified technicians able to build to IPC-A-610G Class 3 standards for aerospace and defense manufacturing. These systems support documented traceability, inspection control, and process consistency across every build.
Class 3 is the highest IPC workmanship standard, applied to aerospace electronics where failure has severe consequences. It governs inspection criteria, acceptability requirements, and documentation at every stage of production. Our quality management system has been refined over 35 years, built to quickly identify non-conforming products, prevent recurrence, and manage risk before it reaches your program.
Controlled goods, as defined by the Government of Canada under the Defense Production Act, encompass items with military or national security significance. These include goods, components, and technology, subject to domestic controls. Such items may originate from the United States Munitions List or be manufactured using technical data controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
The Controlled Goods Program (CGP) mandates registration and adherence to regulations. Controlled goods fall into categories like the Wassenaar Arrangement’s Munitions List, Strategic Goods, and Missile Technology Control Regime. Additionally, technology supporting these goods, such as blueprints and technical data, is also regulated. Registrants must comply with various requirements, including timely reporting of changes, maintaining accurate records, designating a CGP officer, implementing a security plan and training program, and notifying authorities of data breaches. The program also emphasizes security assessments for personnel and necessitates reporting criminal history changes and application exemptions.
The Joint Certification Program (JCP) certifies Canadian and U.S. contractors, allowing them access to unclassified military technical data from Canada’s Department of National Defense (DND) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). This certification safeguards controlled Unclassified Militarily Critical Technical Data (MCTD) and technology from common adversaries while permitting its dissemination to certified Canadian and U.S. companies with a legitimate business need. The program effectively protects the competitive advantage of North American companies by ensuring that only eligible entities receive this data. JCP certification establishes the eligibility of U.S. or Canadian contractors to access technical data governed by Department of Defense (DOD) Directive 5230.25 in the U.S. and by Canada’s Technical Data Control Regulations (TDCR).
Every PCB and assembly receives a unique barcode at the start of production. Component lot codes and serial numbers are logged and linked to each assembly record throughout the manufacturing process, allowing any unit to be traced back to its specific electronic components, inspection results, and test data. This documentation is retained and included in your delivery package for compliance and audit purposes.
Yes. As an aerospace EMS provider, we support aerospace electronics programs through prototype, NPI, and ongoing production runs. Many aerospace programs evolve over time, with requirements that shift, components that change, and volumes that grow. Our operations are structured to support those transitions while maintaining the same quality systems, traceability standards, and team accountability.
We source components through a diversified global supplier network, with proactive lifecycle tracking to flag obsolete or at-risk parts before they affect your schedule. Where EOL components are identified, our team works with your program to find approved alternates early. All components are verified against your BOM before entering production, with full documentation retained for supply chain purposes.