Innovative Aerosystems Supplies Seastar Avionics
The Exton, Pennsylvania company will develop and supply avionics equipment for Dornier Seawings' composite amphibious aircraft.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Manufacturing
Innovative Aerosystems has secured a contract to develop, test, certify and manufacture the Liberty Data Acquisition Unit for integration into the avionics of Dornier Seawings' Seastar amphibious aircraft. The program began in September 2026.
Why it matters
The agreement expands Innovative Aerosystems' equipment offerings across aircraft platforms, a strategy outlined by Chief Executive Officer Shahram Askarpour. For Pennsylvania, the contract adds a manufacturing and engineering role for an Exton-based company in aerospace supply.
Dornier Seawings expects to deliver about 300 Seastar aircraft over the program's first decade, based on company projections. The contract's financial terms were not disclosed.
The players
Innovative Aerosystems
An Exton, Pennsylvania aerospace electronics company traded on Nasdaq under the symbol IA.
Dornier Seawings
A manufacturer specializing in composite amphibious aircraft, including the Seastar.
Shahram Askarpour
The chief executive officer of Innovative Aerosystems, who described the contract as part of the company's expansion strategy.
The details
Under the agreement, Innovative Aerosystems will develop the Liberty Data Acquisition Unit, a dual-channel system based on its Utilities Management System technology that collects and validates data from aircraft sensors. The company will also provide integration, certification support, ground and flight-test assistance, and training.
Timeline
September 2026: Liberty Data Acquisition Unit program began.
2028: Targeted Technical Standard Order authorization for the Seastar.
Manufacturing Context
The Liberty Data Acquisition Unit extends Innovative Aerosystems' Utilities Management System technology into a new avionics product for the Seastar. The contract shows the company applying an existing platform to a new aircraft program.
For Pennsylvania residents, the contract points to continued aerospace engineering and manufacturing work in the Exton area. Consumers are unlikely to see direct changes in pricing from this agreement.
The takeaway
Contracts like this show how established avionics platforms can be adapted to new aircraft programs. Watch for the 2028 certification milestone as a signal of the Seastar's development progress.
Further reading
For more on the state's production sector, see Manufacturing coverage for Pennsylvania.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MyChesCo.
