Astronics (NASDAQ:ATRO) reported record second-quarter 2026 revenue, bookings, backlog and operating profit, citing stronger aerospace demand, production efficiencies and pricing actions. The company raised its full-year revenue outlook to a range of $1.02 billion to $1.04 billion, positioning it to surpass $1 billion in annual sales for the first time.
“The second quarter was very strong for Astronics,” Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Gundermann said. “We set records all over the place for revenue, for operating profit, for bookings, for backlog, and more.”
Margin Expansion Driven by Volume and Productivity
Chief Financial Officer Nancy Hedges said gross profit totaled $86.9 million, or 33.4% of sales, compared with $52.8 million, or 25.8% of sales, a year earlier. The improvement reflected higher sales volume, better productivity and a $2 million IEEPA tariff refund recognized during the quarter. The refund contributed roughly 70 basis points to margin.
The company estimates that tariffs, before mitigation efforts, represent an ongoing expense run rate of approximately $3 million to $4 million per quarter at current volumes. Astronics expects to receive an additional $6 million to $8 million in IEEPA tariff refunds, although the timing remains uncertain.
Gundermann identified four primary drivers of the company’s margin improvement:
- Higher volume and improved overhead absorption as shipments increase;
- Pricing actions, including the repricing of long-term contracts affected by pandemic-era inflation;
- Better workforce efficiency as employee turnover has declined; and
- Organizational simplification, including the closure and consolidation of seven production sites in recent years.
Astronics said it has repriced most of its affected long-term contracts, though roughly one-quarter remain to be repriced over the next 12 to 18 months. Gundermann said the company is about 75% to 80% through its broader pricing-adjustment effort.
Aerospace Sales and Backlog Reach Records
Aerospace segment sales increased 22.6% from the prior-year period to a record $237.3 million, supported by growth across commercial transport, military aircraft and general aviation markets. Segment operating profit rose to $48.3 million, or 20.3% of sales, from $18 million, or 9.3% of sales, in the year-earlier quarter.
Among the segment’s product categories, in-flight entertainment and connectivity sales increased 19% to $126 million, aided by demand for connectivity and passenger-power products. Lighting and safety sales rose 5.5% to $59.2 million, while flight-critical electrical power sales increased 49.4% to $23.7 million, led by military-aircraft demand.
Seat-motion sales rose $12 million to $22.2 million, including a $5.9 million contribution from the Bühler Motor Aviation acquisition completed last October. Gundermann said the acquired business has good technology, products and customer relationships, but is not yet as profitable as Astronics’ broader aerospace operation.
Aerospace bookings totaled $243.1 million, producing a book-to-bill ratio of 1.02. Segment backlog ended the quarter at a record $657.2 million.
Military Programs Add to Test Systems Opportunity
Total company bookings were a record $306 million, continuing a four-quarter progression from $210 million, $257 million and $290 million. The quarter included a $27.4 million booking for the engineering phase of the V-280 FLRAA program, which Astronics said is expected to generate approximately $35 million of revenue in 2026.
The V-280 FLRAA program supports the U.S. Army’s planned MV-75 replacement for the Black Hawk helicopter. Gundermann said the program could become Astronics’ largest military program, though the company did not provide details beyond its current engineering work and expected future orders.
Test systems sales increased to $22.7 million from $11.1 million a year earlier. The segment reported operating profit of $600,000, compared with an operating loss in the prior-year period. Results included about $4.1 million of zero-margin revenue, mainly for raw-material purchases related to U.S. Army and Marine Corps radio-test programs.
Test systems bookings reached $63.1 million, including a $44.7 million U.S. Army order initiating full-rate production for the TS-4549/T radio-test program. The order is expected to support deliveries over the next 18 months, and Astronics expects similar annual orders for the next four to five years under its existing IDIQ award.
Management said margins in the test systems business should improve as the radio-test program enters full-rate production. Gundermann said the company expects to reach that production pace by the end of the fourth quarter, with margins eventually approaching the profile of its aerospace segment.
Cash Flow, Debt Reduction and Outlook
Astronics generated $30.1 million in operating cash flow during the second quarter. Capital expenditures were $5.7 million during the quarter and $16.9 million through the first half. The company continues to expect full-year capital spending of $40 million to $45 million, including investments related to a Seattle facility consolidation expected to conclude in the third quarter.
Long-term debt declined by $24.1 million from year-end to $310.3 million, while available liquidity totaled $253.2 million at quarter-end. Hedges said Astronics’ capital priorities remain internal investment and debt reduction, although acquisitions remain possible if opportunities meet the company’s criteria.
For the third quarter, Astronics expects revenue of $265 million to $275 million, which would represent another quarterly sales record. Management expects the fourth-quarter revenue run rate to improve modestly from that level and said it expects to be free-cash-flow positive for the remainder of 2026.
Gundermann also said the company sees future opportunities in electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, drones and autonomous aircraft, particularly for its power-generation technologies. However, he said those programs are not expected to make a major contribution to the company’s 2026 forecast and may have a greater role in 2027.
About Astronics (NASDAQ:ATRO)
Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced technologies primarily for the aerospace, defense and semiconductor industries. Headquartered in East Aurora, New York, the company was founded in 1968 and has grown through a combination of internal development and strategic acquisitions. Astronics operates multiple business units focused on power conversion, distribution and control; cabin electronics and connectivity; aircraft lighting and safety solutions; and automated test systems.
The company’s aerospace products include onboard power generation and management systems, in-flight entertainment and connectivity hardware, LED and fluorescent lighting for aircraft cabins and cockpits, and safety equipment such as escape slide power units.
