The U.S. Aerospace & Defense industry is the world’s largest manufacturer of highly advanced aircraft, space systems and defense equipment. For over a century the aerospace and defense industries in America have been pivotal in creating the most superior military on the planet. As the technological leader in design and development the United States’ significant achievements have lead the way for today’s modern communication, transportation and medical achievements throughout the world. The Aerospace & Defense industry continues to be one of the largest employers and serves as the nation’s economic baseline through its vast supply chain; from the world’s largest defense contractors, down through the three primary manufacturing tiers. From major contractors such as General Dynamics, to tier one manufacturers such as little known Inseego’s IoT products and more widely known industrial manufacturers such as Babcock & Wilcox, all the way to local machine shops, the military industrial complex is the strongest segment in U.S. manufacturing. The system is tightly controlled, requiring participants to follow rigorous specifications such as ITAR registration (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), be in good standing on the QPL (Qualified Parts List) and Nadcap accredited (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program).

What is ITAR?

Throughout the past few years, Brennan has earned many certifications and accreditations—one of these being ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations). All manufacturers, exporters, and brokers of defense articles, services, and data must be ITAR compliant. For Brennan, being ITAR compliant has allowed us to expand our product line and customer base. It requires processes that control the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of defense and space-related articles and provides protection over product, blueprints, and our domestic manufacturing facility.

In April of 2017, Brennan Industries took the first step in entering the Aerospace market and became AS9100C and NADCAP certified meaning our fittings became approved for civilian aerospace applications. Approximately one year later, in June of 2018, we became ITAR compliant which expanded our product line and customer base requiring regulations that control the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of defense and space-related articles. Entering these new markets expands our capabilities and allows us to be a contender in a continually growing and developing industry. 

We’re excited to welcome new National Aerospace/Manufacturing Product Manager, Diane Swencki, to our team at Brennan. She will be working out of Brennan’s manufacturing facility in Euclid, Ohio.

Both flared fittings and flareless fittings are commonly used in the aerospace industry, depending on the application. The AN (Army-Navy) military standard calls for tighter tolerances and defines all fitting connection types, where the JIC uses AN specifications as the baseline for their own standards and covers fewer sizes. 

In the aerospace industry,  O-rings are very popular among equipment designers because of their leak-tight connections, typically using a 90 durometer, Buna-N (Nitrile) O-ring. There are two primary types of O-ring boss fittings:

Fitting Types

In the aerospace industry,  sections of tubing are usually attached with flared or flareless (compression type) fittings, unlike steel pipes. The SAE Aerospace Standard (AS) establishes the requirements for aerospace fittings that are used in all types of fluid systems. 

Manufacturers of fluid system fittings for the Aviation, Space, and Defense industries must meet very stringent requirements. 

This includes the production of specialty fittings and machined parts.  Aerospace Standard (AS) AS7112, in accordance with SAE AS7003, establishes the requirements for manufacturers of fluid system components to be accredited by Nadcap (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program). 

If you or your customers use fittings in aerospace applications, then you know you're limited to only those manufacturers meeting stringent quality requirements and certifications. We are excited to announce you have a new choice - Brennan!