ETI / Starwin, a U.S.-based aerospace and defense manufacturer supporting mission-critical Department of Defense programs, announced today that it has been awarded an expanded contract to manufacture and deliver a comprehensive suite of specialized precision components, assemblies, fixtures, adapters, inspection tools, and munition handling systems in support of the F-35 Lightning II program.
The award covers multiple equipment families and functional assemblies required to support F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C maintenance, inspection, servicing, and sustainment operations—directly enabling aircraft availability, safety, and readiness across depot and operational environments.

PROGRAM SNAPSHOT: F-35 SUSTAINMENT AT SCALE

The F-35 Lightning II remains the backbone of U.S. and allied tactical airpower, integrating stealth, sensor fusion, and advanced propulsion across a rapidly expanding global fleet. As operational tempo increases and aircraft transition deeper into sustainment-heavy phases, precision-built, flight-adjacent ground support equipment becomes a decisive readiness enabler.

Under this award, ETI Starwin supports:

• Carrier operations and wing-fold handling
• STOVL lift-fan servicing and vertical-lift support
• Engine, inlet, and thermal management maintenance
• Canopy, ammunition, and countermeasure servicing
• Internal inspection, gauging, and alignment
• Structural protection and aircraft interface tooling

EXPANDED SCOPE: WHAT THIS AWARD INCLUDES
Beyond previously announced wins, this contract expands ETI / Starwin’s role to include a broad portfolio of F-35-specific equipment, including:

• Lift, handling, and support adapters
• Propulsion, hydraulic, and cooling system tooling
• Precision gage sets and inspection systems
• Canopy, inlet, and structural protection fixtures
• Ammunition handling and weapons-interface tooling
• Installation, servicing, and alignment tool sets
• Custom and modified off-the-shelf GSE assemblies

This scope reflects prime- and government-level confidence in ETI / Starwin’s ability to deliver repeatable, compliant, safety-critical hardware across multiple variants and maintenance disciplines.

Q4 MOMENTUM: $15M+ IN NEW WARFIGHTER AWARDS

During the fourth quarter alone, ETI Starwin secured over $15 million in new contract awards spanning multiple warfighter platforms across the U.S. aerospace and defense enterprise. These awards reflect a clear industry shift as operational intensity escalates and long-standing global supply chain constraints continue to challenge legacy suppliers.

As a result, ETI Starwin is increasingly relied upon as a high-trust manufacturing partner for:

• Tight-tolerance metallic components
• Complex machined and welded assemblies
• Mission-critical hardware

This momentum positions ETI Starwin as a more valuable and trusted supplier within the Air Dominance and Advanced Aviation Divisions of the U.S. Government and Department of Defense, where precision planning and execution are non-negotiable.

WHAT SETS ETI STARWIN APART

ETI / Starwin operates in a segment of the defense industrial base where few companies can execute at scale. Key differentiators include:

• Extremely tight tolerance metallic components and assemblies
• Proven execution on fifth-generation platforms
• AS9100, IUID, source inspection, and DD250 compliance
• DPAS-rated, warfighter-priority production
• End-to-end lifecycle support from first article through sustainment
• Rapid delivery of low-volume precision components and assemblies

“The volume and diversity of awards we’ve secured in Q4 reflect a broader shift occurring across the defense industrial base. As programs intensify and supply chains are stress-tested, ETI / Starwin is emerging as a trusted, execution-focused partner capable of supporting the most demanding air combat platforms in the world.”      -Andrew Chavez, President of ETI / Starwin

STRATEGIC IMPACT

Together, these awards:

• Deepen ETI / Starwin’s embedded role in F-35 sustainment
• Demonstrate cross-platform relevance beyond a single program
• Validate the company’s position in high-barrier, air-dominance manufacturing
• Create a durable pipeline for follow-on production and lifecycle support

As global security demands increase, ETI / Starwin remains committed to delivering mission-ready solutions that keep aircraft flying, maintainers equipped, and the warfighter prepared.

About ETI / Starwin

ETI / Starwin is a U.S.-based aerospace and defense manufacturer providing precision metallic components, assemblies, tooling, and sustainment solutions for the Department of Defense and leading prime and tier 1 contractors. Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, ETI / Starwin operates with an uncompromising focus on quality, compliance, and execution—serving as an extension of the warfighter across every program it supports.

ETI Starwin has captured a critical multi-year Long-Term Agreement (LTA) contract to supply proprietary troop seats for the U.S. Air Force’s C-5 Galaxy modernization program. This award expands the company’s footprint in strategic mobility, reinforcing its role as a key supplier to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and the U.S. Air Force’s global fleet sustainment mission.
C-5 Modernization: The Global Reach Backbone
The C-5 Galaxy is unique among U.S. Air Force assets in its ability to carry massive and outsized payloads — including armored vehicles, helicopters, and complete mission systems — across continents. No other single aircraft in the U.S. inventory can match its combination of internal payload volume, range, and strategic lift.

The dual modernization path — the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) and the Reliability Enhancement & Re-engining Program (RERP) — has extended the C-5’s service life well into the 2040’s, delivering greater reliability, shorter takeoff rolls, improved fuel efficiency, and enhanced mission capability. With these upgrades complete across the fleet, the C-5M Super Galaxy remains without rival as America’s strategic global mover.
Recent missions highlight the C-5’s pivotal role in U.S. global posture:
- Transporting armored vehicles, helicopters, and heavy systems into contested theaters.
- Surge deployments to reinforce NATO allies in Eastern Europe.
- Humanitarian relief missions delivering large-scale aid to disaster zones.
- Strategic rebalancing operations to preposition logistics in support of contingency plans.
Troop Seats – A Strategic Component with Proprietary IP
This award tasks ETI Starwin with providing troop seating assemblies — a critical subsystem for aircrews and personnel — for which the company holds the intellectual property (IP). By owning this IP, ETI Starwin ensures sustainment flexibility, design control, and long-term reliability management for the Air Force, eliminating dependence on outside licensors.

Contract Scope & Projected Value Opportunity
The award establishes a 4-year period of performance with a ceiling value of $45 million dollars. This provides the Department of Defense with the flexibility to issue recurring task orders for production, sustainment, and potential upgrades throughout the program’s lifecycle. The structure represents a significant growth opportunity for ETI Starwin as follow-on orders accumulate.
“The C-5 Galaxy is America’s unmatched global mover, and nothing else in the world compares,” said Mike Davis, Director of Business Development. “Securing this 4-year award with a $45 million ceiling underscores our role as a critical partner in strategic mobility. With proprietary IP on troop seats, ETI Starwin is uniquely positioned to keep the C-5 and its supporting fleet mission-ready — giving U.S. forces the reach, agility, and confidence to respond to any threat.”

About ETI Starwin
ETI Starwin is a mission-critical supplier to U.S. defense aviation programs, specializing in high-precision machining, welding, subsystems, assemblies, and sustainment solutions.
With more than 50 years of experience supporting platforms such as the F-35, F-16, Apache, Black Hawk, and now the C-5 Galaxy, ETI Starwin continues to deliver reliability, innovation, and agility to America’s warfighters.

ETI Starwin Captures Multi-Year F-16 Award with CNI Advantage

Driving High-Velocity AESA Modernization 
ETI Starwin has captured a major multi-year, multi-million dollar award to produce advanced F-16 Radar Modernization Program (RMP) shrouds in partnership with CNI Advantage, LLC. This contract builds directly on ETI Starwin’s radome award and doubles down on its commitment to ensure the F-16 remains a decisive force in modern air combat.

The Radar Modernization Program (RMP) is the most significant leap in capability the F-16 has received in decades. At its core is the transition to Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, a technology that delivers longer detection ranges, crystal-clear resolution, enhanced resistance to electronic jamming, and the ability to track and engage multiple threats simultaneously. AESA gives the F-16 pilot an unmatched picture of the battlespace, transforming the aircraft from a legacy fourth-generation platform into a nearly unstoppable force that can hold its own alongside fifth-generation fighters like the F-35.

The composite shrouds ETI Starwin will deliver — designed and tooled internally with proprietary composite fabrication processes — are critical to housing and protecting the AESA radar system. By teaming with CNI Advantage, ETI Starwin is fusing precision composites manufacturing with proven program integration expertise to create a high-velocity production pipeline. This fast-track execution ensures the radar upgrade reaches the fleet expeditiously, securing U.S. and allied air dominance in the most contested environments worldwide.

“This program is about collaboration and speed” said Andrew Chavez, President of ETI Starwin. “The stakes are elevated every day. The warfighter demands high velocity, and ETI Starwin is delivering it.”

This award is administered in concert with DLA Land & Maritime Supply Chain in Columbus, Ohio, and DCMA Ohio River Valley at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. It highlights ETI Starwin’s ability to move decisively in support of the Department of Defense’s modernization priorities and reinforces the F-16’s status as a force to be reckoned with globally.

About ETI Starwin

ETI Starwin is a precision aerospace and defense manufacturer with over 50 years of experience in machining, welding, composites, kitting, and assembly. The company has developed proprietary tooling and composite fabrication capabilities that uniquely position it to deliver on programs like the F-16 RMP.

Its portfolio includes F-16 and F-35 components and assemblies, C-5 Galaxy troop seats, Sea Sparrow launcher covers, and other mission-critical assemblies for the U.S. DoD and major OEMs including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, Raytheon, and DLA.

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Land & Maritime Supply Chain in Columbus, Ohio, in coordination with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Ohio River Valley and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, has awarded a bilateral contract to ETI / Starwin for the supply of the F-16 Radome assembly as part of the F-16 Radar Modernization Program (RMP).
This award provides ETI / Starwin the opportunity to deliver advanced Radome components enabling the integration of the AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) — an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system at the core of the F-16 RMP.

New Capabilities for the F-16 Warfighter
The APG-83 AESA radar, housed within ETI / Starwin’s Radome assemblies, dramatically increases the combat capability of the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Key advantages include:

• Extended Detection & Tracking – AESA radars provide 5th-generation fighter radar performance, extending range and enabling pilots to track and engage multiple threats simultaneously.
• All-Weather Targeting – Enhanced resolution allows warfighters to identify and prosecute targets through weather, electronic warfare interference, and low-visibility conditions.
• Electronic Protection – AESA technology is resistant to jamming and designed to survive in highly contested electromagnetic environments.
• Increased Survivability – Improved situational awareness and threat detection allow F-16 pilots to react faster and with greater precision in complex battle spaces.
• Mission Flexibility – Supports both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, including precision strike, maritime targeting, and homeland defense.

The F-16 Radar Modernization Program ensures the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard fleets remain combat-relevant and interoperable with allied 5th-generation platforms, strengthening deterrence and coalition security worldwide.

Program Overview

• Scope: Modernization of ~450 F-16s with AESA radar capability.
• Production Status: Entered full-rate production in September 2024 after successful operational testing.
• Contracting Organizations: DLA Land & Maritime (Columbus, OH), DCMA Ohio River Valley, Wright-Patterson AFB.
• Impact: Extends the service life of the F-16 fleet well into the 2030s, ensuring continued U.S. and allied warfighter dominance.
• Global Reach: While the RMP is currently tailored to the U.S. fleet, AESA radar upgrades are aligned with Foreign Military Sales (FMS) opportunities for allied operators of the F-16 worldwide.

"Our team at ETI Starwin is proud to play a vital role in delivering advanced manufacturing solutions that give the F-16 warfighter decisive advantages on the battlefield," said Andrew Chavez, President of ETI Starwin. "By providing components that enhance radar performance, survivability, and mission effectiveness, we are helping ensure the United States and our allies stay ahead of all threats — today and in the future."

About ETI Starwin
For more than 50 years, ETI Starwin has been a trusted partner to the U.S.G. Department of Defense, and major OEMs including Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Boeing,  BAE Systems, Raytheon, and the Defense Logistics Agency.
Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, ETI / Starwin specializes in precision machining, welding, composites, and aerospace assembly that support mission-critical platforms across air, land, and sea. With a heritage built on innovation and execution, ETI Starwin continues to deliver best-in-class manufacturing solutions that strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and empower the warfighter.

​Contact: John Gevedon, Business Development Director, jgevedon@starwin-ind.com

ETI Starwin Industries has partnered with ADS Inc. (www.adsinc.com), a TOP 100 premier defense solutions provider, to supply composite launcher covers for the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile system as part of the NATO Sea Sparrow Surface Missile System (NSSMS) modernization program.
​
By supporting NATO's Sea Sparrow systems, we’re reinforcing our commitment to the Warfighter, at home and abroad, to deter aggression and ensure our forces have the edge wherever they operate.”
— Andrew Chavez, ETI / Starwin President
​
Program Overview: Strengthening Maritime Missile Defense

The NSSMS is a longstanding cooperative defense initiative launched in 1968 to protect allied naval forces from airborne threats. The core system—featuring the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) interceptors—is deployed on aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, and destroyers across NATO-member fleets.

To extend its operational life and enhance performance, the U.S. Navy is now executing critical MIN-MOD (Minor Modification) upgrades to the Mk 132 Guided Missile Launching System. These upgrades ensure compatibility with the ESSM Block 2, an advanced missile featuring active radar guidance for improved targeting and survivability.

Key Sites: Port Hueneme and Point Mugu

At Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Port Hueneme Division and the Point Mugu Sea Test Range, engineers and weapons specialists are leading this modernization effort. Full-system flight tests at Point Mugu have successfully validated the ESSM Block 2 launch capability. Launcher platform upgrades—including protective composite covers—are a critical piece of this system refresh.

ETI Starwin Role: Composite Launcher Covers

Under ADS Inc.’s prime contract, ETI Starwin Industries is delivering advanced composite launcher covers designed to shield the Mk 132 firing cells from salt, heat, impact, and environmental degradation.

With over 50 years of defense manufacturing expertise, ETI Starwin brings:
• AS9100-certified fabrication and manufacturing
• Legacy system retrofit capability
• Composites & high-precision machining, welding, and assembly
• Specialized radome and structural composite experience

These launcher covers are vital to ensuring the operational readiness, reliability, and longevity of missile systems deployed across U.S. and NATO warships.

Modernization Impact & 2025 Forecast

With full-rate production expected to ramp up through FY2025 and continue into the next decade, the Sea Sparrow modernization effort is set to generate significant demand across the U.S. Navy and NATO coalition; a sustained multi-year procurement phase extending into the early 2030s.

The U.S. Navy—through Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS 12)—alongside allied NATO forces, is projected to field more than 100 upgraded Mk 132 launcher systems across coalition fleets during this period.

Each Mk 132 Guided Missile Launching System typically consists of 8 missile cells (or canisters), arranged in a trainable launcher configuration. Each of these cells requires an individual protective composite launcher cover.

About ETI Starwin Industries

Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, ETI Starwin is a trusted defense partner offering composites, precision machining, welding, assembly, and tooling solutions for aerospace and weapons platforms. From missiles and radomes to launcher and sensor systems, our vertically integrated production and veteran-led teams deliver mission-ready solutions for the U.S. military and allied forces.
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📞 For partnership opportunities or to learn more about our capabilities please visit www.eti-starwin.com
​
​John Gevedon
+1 937-293-8568
JGEVEDON@starwin-ind.com

ETI Tech: Precision Machining, Welding, & Assembly at the Q2 2025 F-35 Support Equipment Supplier Summit hosted by Northrop Grumman.

DAYTON, OH, UNITED STATES, June 25, 2025 / EINPresswire.com / -- ETI Tech Invited to Northrop Grumman’s Q2 2025 F-35 Supplier Summit

ETI Tech, a long-standing precision manufacturer supporting the F-35 Lightning II program, attended the Q2 2025 F-35 Support Equipment Supplier Summit hosted by Northrop Grumman in Palmdale, California.

The summit—attended by Lockheed Martin, Industry leaders, the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO), and top-tier defense primes—spotlighted collaboration, partnership, and unwavering commitment to War Fighter.

​Held under the theme “Predictability, Performance, Partnership,” Northrup leadership emphasized critical sustainment initiatives driving fleet readiness for over 1,170 F-35 aircraft globally.

Held under the theme “Predictability, Performance, Partnership,” Northrup leadership emphasized critical sustainment initiatives driving fleet readiness for over 1,170 F-35 aircraft globally.

Key Highlights:
• Active suppliers of assemblies, materials, systems, and components across multiple F-35 variants attended and collaborated
• Panel representation at Supplier Summit, reinforcing voice-of-field and supply chain insights
• Collaboration with JPO to improve sustainment system predictability and warfighter outcomes

ETI Tech Achieves Structural Welding Certification for F-35 Sustainment Program

Within weeks of attending the annual summit ETI achieved a major advancement by earning its structural welding certification for both Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.

“Achieving the structural welding approval is a major step forward. It shows we’re not only committed to precision machining and assembly—we’re actively scaling our capabilities to meet the evolving demands of the Warfighter,” – Andrew Chavez, ETI / Starwin President.

More about ETI / Starwin

Precision, Partnership, Performance.

For over two decades, ETI Technologies and Starwin Industries have set the benchmark for reliability in aerospace and defense manufacturing. Trusted by leading primes and Tier 1 suppliers, our companies are recognized for delivering mission-critical components on time and to spec—every time.
​
Backed by a proven track record that includes support for platforms like the F-35, F-15, F-16, F-22, and C-5, we specialize in precision machining, EDM, welding, assembly, composites, electro-mechanical assemblies, and ground support equipment. From prototyping through full-rate production, our vertically integrated operations ensure lean, agile, and cost-effective solutions for our customers.

​- AS9100D certified quality systems
- Northrup Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and DoD-approved supply chain credentials
- ETI & Starwin are co-located Dayton, OH facility for streamlined integration
- Veteran Operations and Engineering teams with 50+ years combined experience
- Rapid response, small business agility with large-program capability

​Whether you’re sustaining legacy fleets or developing next-gen technologies, ETI Technologies and Starwin Industries are built to serve, built to scale, and built to last.

🔩 Ali Shamisarski-Rodriguez
Engineering Intern – Wright State University
Ali is on the path to a Mechanical Engineering degree and plans to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. With a strong military heritage and a drive for hands-on technical experience, Ali is diving into complex problem-solving with our team.

🔧 Ian Gilliam
Quality Engineering Intern – University of Cincinnati
Ian is pursuing Computer Engineering and has a strong interest in automation, controls, and process optimization. With family ties to Wright-Patt and a curiosity for aerospace innovation, Ian is already making an impact in our quality systems.

At ETI Starwin, we're honored to help shape the next generation of engineering talent in direct support of our nation’s defense, to ensure our support of mission readiness for the Army, Navy, Airforce, and Marines is always at peak performance. 

These two future leaders are already making us proud.

Land of the Free.
Because of the Brave.
​God Bless the USA. 

ETI / Starwin, a leading aerospace and defense manufacturer based in Dayton, Ohio, has been awarded three new contracts from Warner Robins Air Force Base to support the long-term sustainment and modernization of the U.S. Air Force's C-5 Galaxy aircraft.
These awards mark a continued vote of confidence in ETI’s role as a strategic manufacturing partner for the Department of Defense. As the intellectual property (IP) holder for select C-5 components, ETI is uniquely positioned as the front-runner to deliver mission-critical parts and assemblies required under the Air Force’s ongoing C-5 modernization roadmap.
The C-5 Galaxy, one of the largest military transport aircraft in the world, remains essential to U.S. global mobility and heavy airlift missions. There are currently 52 aircraft in the active fleet, maintained across three primary sustainment bases: Dover AFB (DE), Travis AFB (CA), and Westover ARB (MA), with depot-level maintenance centralized at Warner Robins AFB (GA).
The current modernization effort—known as the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP)—focuses on avionics upgrades, structural reinforcement, and propulsion enhancements designed to extend the aircraft’s service life through 2040 and beyond. ETI’s awarded scope supports these objectives through the delivery of complex, precision-machined armrest assemblies, structural pins, and shrouds under long-lead and quick-turn schedules.
“We are proud to support Warner Robins and the entire C-5 sustainment community.
​Our integrated capabilities in 5-axis CNC machining, aerospace welding, composite fabrication, kitting, and full-spectrum program management allow us to solve the most complex challenges in military aircraft modernization.” - Andrew Chavez
In addition to its legacy support for the C-5 Galaxy, ETI is the go-to site for integrated manufacturing solutions across fighter jets and rotorcraft platforms, as detailed on our Capabilities Page.
These latest awards underscore ETI’s position as a key player in American aerospace readiness—delivering reliability, innovation, and execution that meet the mission, every time.

About ETI / Starwin
With over 50 years of aerospace and defense manufacturing excellence, ETI / Starwin provides precision components and integrated systems for the U.S. military and its contractors. Specializing in complex work packages for fixed-wing, rotary, and transport aircraft, ETI offers a full suite of capabilities including CNC machining, composites, assembly, and program management.