334511 - Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

The world of aerospace and marine technology relies heavily on advanced systems and instruments to ensure safety, precision, and efficiency. NAICS code 334511 represents a critical segment within the manufacturing sector, encompassing companies that produce cutting-edge search, detection, navigation, guidance, aeronautical, and nautical systems and instruments. Whether it's the radar that guides aircraft or the sonar that maps ocean floors, this industry plays a pivotal role in modern transportation and defense.

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What is NAICS Code 334511?

NAICS code 334511 covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing search, detection, navigation, guidance, aeronautical, and nautical systems and instruments. These products include but are not limited to radar and sonar systems used in aerospace and marine applications. Essentially, this code applies to factories and businesses creating sophisticated electronic and electromechanical devices instrumental in flight, navigation, and defense operations.

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Industry Sector and Business Activities

• Sector: Manufacturing
• The industry involves producing high-technology systems used in both aeronautical (aircraft, space vehicles) and nautical (marine vessels) contexts.

Typical Business Activities Under NAICS 334511:

• Designing and manufacturing radar and sonar detection systems
• Developing navigation and guidance instruments for aircraft and ships
• Overhauling, converting, or rebuilding aeronautical systems and instruments
• Producing flight and navigation sensors and displays
• Manufacturing countermeasure devices for defense applications

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Size Standards and Eligibility

• The average number of employees in businesses under NAICS 334511 is approximately 1,350 employees.
• This standard is critical for government contracting and small business designation purposes.

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Examples of Businesses Under NAICS 334511

• Radar system manufacturers: Companies specializing in air traffic control and airborne radar.
• Sonar equipment producers: Manufacturers creating fish finders, sonobuoys, and underwater sonar technologies.
• Aeronautical navigation instrument manufacturers: Businesses producing altimeters, gyrocompasses, HUD systems, and other flight instruments.

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Detailed Code Components for NAICS 334511

Code Details
Acceleration indicators and systems components, aerospace type, manufacturing
Aeronautical systems and instruments manufacturing
Aeronautical systems and instruments overhauling, conversion, or rebuilding
Air traffic control radar systems and equipment manufacturing
Airborne navigational systems manufacturing
Aircraft flight instruments (except engine instruments) manufacturing
Airframe equipment instruments manufacturing
Airspeed instruments (aeronautical) manufacturing
Altimeters, aeronautical, manufacturing
Angle-of-attack instrumentation manufacturing
Angle-of-yaw instrumentation manufacturing
Artificial horizon instrumentation manufacturing
Bank and turn indicators and components (aeronautical instruments) manufacturing
Cabin environment indicators, transmitters, and sensors manufacturing
Compasses, gyroscopic and magnetic (except portable), manufacturing
Countermeasure sets (e.g., active countermeasures, jamming equipment) manufacturing
Distance measuring equipment (DME), aeronautical, manufacturing
Driftmeters, aeronautical, manufacturing
Electronic guidance systems and equipment manufacturing
Fathometers manufacturing
Fish finders (i.e., sonar) manufacturing
Flight and navigation sensors, transmitters, and displays manufacturing
Flight recorders (i.e., black boxes) manufacturing
Glide slope instrumentation manufacturing
Gyrocompasses manufacturing
Gyrogimbals manufacturing
Gyroscopes manufacturing
Heads-up display (HUD) systems, aeronautical, manufacturing
Horizon situation instrumentation manufacturing
HUD (heads-up display) systems, aeronautical, manufacturing
Hydrophones manufacturing
Inertial navigation systems, aeronautical, manufacturing
Infrared homing systems, aeronautical, manufacturing
Instrument landing system instrumentation, airborne or airport, manufacturing
Instruments, aeronautical, manufacturing
Light reconnaissance and surveillance systems and equipment manufacturing
Machmeters manufacturing
Nautical systems and instruments manufacturing
Navigational instruments manufacturing
Omnibearing instrumentation manufacturing
Pictorial situation instrumentation manufacturing
Position indicators (e.g., for landing gear, stabilizers), airframe equipment, manufacturing
Proximity warning (i.e., collision avoidance) equipment manufacturing
Radar detectors manufacturing
Radar systems and equipment manufacturing
Radio magnetic instrumentation (RMI) manufacturing
Rate-of-climb instrumentation manufacturing
Search and detection systems and instruments manufacturing
Sextants (except surveying) manufacturing
Sonabuoys manufacturing
Sonar fish finders manufacturing
Sonar systems and equipment manufacturing
Space vehicle guidance systems and equipment manufacturing
Speed, pitch, and roll navigational instruments and systems manufacturing
Taffrail logs manufacturing
Underwater navigational systems manufacturing
Warfare countermeasures equipment manufacturing
Wheel position indicators and transmitters, aircraft, manufacturing

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What industries use NAICS code 334511 products?

Industries such as aerospace, marine navigation, defense, and aviation rely heavily on the systems and instruments manufactured under this code.

Is NAICS 334511 limited to manufacturing, or does it include services?

NAICS 334511 is focused on the manufacturing aspect, but certain activities like overhauling, conversion, or rebuilding of aeronautical instruments are included.

What are some key products made under this code?

Key products include radar systems, sonar devices, altimeters, inertial navigation systems, heads-up displays (HUDs), and various flight and navigation instruments.

How many employees typically work in this industry?

Businesses classified under NAICS 334511 typically have about 1,350 employees, reflecting the scale of manufacturing operations.

Can small businesses qualify under NAICS 334511 for government contracts?

Yes, qualifying as a small business depends on meeting the SBA size standard related to the number of employees or annual receipts, which for this sector is generally under 1,350 employees.

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Conclusion

NAICS code 334511 is a cornerstone category within the manufacturing sector, underwriting a sophisticated and vital part of the aerospace and marine industries. Companies operating within this classification produce essential technology ensuring navigation safety, effective detection, and accurate guidance in some of the most challenging environments. Understanding this NAICS code helps manufacturers, contractors, and government agencies connect and comply with industry standards for high-tech system and instrument production.

By focusing on this specialized niche, NAICS 334511 companies contribute indispensably to modern transportation, defense, and scientific exploration worldwide.

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Keywords: NAICS 334511, radar manufacturing, sonar systems, aeronautical instruments, nautical navigation equipment, aerospace manufacturing, government contracting NAICS, aerospace systems manufacturers