Dayton T. Brown, Inc.

When it comes to aerospace and defense testing, most companies play by the book — but Dayton T. Brown, Inc. (DTB) rewrites it. For 75 years, this industry leader, located in Bohemia, NY, has been the go-to partner for manufacturers, government agencies, and defense contractors who need solutions, not excuses.

From full-scale structural testing to ballistics, EMI to structural stress analysis, DTB steps beyond the confines of checklists and pushes the boundaries of what is possible. They offer a wide range of tests, including environmental, vibration/ shock, EMI/EMC, structural, windblast, and ordnance release.

At DTB, the question isn’t what they do; it’s what they don’t do.

“Customers always approach us with full confidence, knowing that we never settle for ‘that can’t be done’ as nothing is outside our reach,” says Kristian Norheim, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Engineering and Test Division. “By combining our engineering expertise with advanced testing capabilities, we deliver customer-focused solutions, all within our single location.”

Fueled by a solution-driven mindset, DTB addresses the toughest challenges head-on with 300,000 square feet of testing space in one location offering A WORLD OF ENGINEERING AND TESTING UNDER ONE ROOF™. The company understands that test programs often come at the tail end of projects and customers always work on tight schedules. In response, they offer 24/7 testing services and provide preliminary on-the-spot data for most tests. DTB delivers finished reports within 14 days with the ability to expedite the process for even faster delivery.

Fast, High-Quality Results with Unmatched Expertise

This fast turnaround time never compromises quality. DTB is A2LA, NVLAP, ISO 9001 and AS9100 accredited/ registered, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of quality. They undergo regular audits to maintain top-tier quality and management systems. DTB also conducts round robin testing to verify its results align with those of industry-leading laboratories.

Complementing testing and engineering services, DTB has a Technical Services division that provides comprehensive technical publications and logistics services, which include expert technical writing, illustrations, data conversion, and logisticians. DTB’s Mission Systems division designs and integrates advanced products and intelligent systems like mobile and transportable SCIFs, satellite shipping containers, and material procurement support for customers’ critical missions.

“While our services are wide-ranging, it’s our people who truly create the value at DTB. Numerous engineers and technicians have been with us for over 50 years, bringing a wealth of industry knowledge and experience,” says Matt May, Vice President of Operations of the Engineering and Test Division.

Building Solutions Together

From metallurgy experts to PhDs, analysts to dynamic engineers, the DTB team is comprised of highly skilled professionals ready to address any challenge and efficiently deliver results. Customer engagement begins when a sales representative or engineer makes initial contact. From there, the team thoroughly reviews the statement of work (SOW) with the customer to address their requirements and align with the project schedule. Once the timeline is clear, fixtures are designed, and configurations are set up. Some tests are quick and simple, lasting just a few hours, while others, like large, full-scale structural programs, can take years to complete.

For larger structural programs, DTB designs and builds custom test frames and foundations to support the testing requirements. They design rigs in parallel alongside customers’ test articles to align with SOW requirements.

Once testing is complete, the team maintains communication throughout the report writing process, providing updates on progress and addressing any customer questions that may arise. After delivering the final report, the team stays engaged to ensure customer satisfaction and promptly handles any adjustments or additional requirements. This ongoing, hands-on approach helps build lasting relationships with customers — a key to the success of every project.

In a notable instance, a customer required structural testing on their radome. Usually, load pads are placed at given intervals to apply loads, but in this case, the customer requested the loads to be distributed throughout the entire radome. The DTB engineering staff held a brainstorming session to address the challenge. Later that day, while playing ball with his son, a senior test engineer had a solution come to mind. His idea led to a custom solution that enabled an evenly distributed load across the radome. Within a short period of time, DTB had a complete solution ready for the customer.

Through these unconventional approaches, DTB routinely finds solutions for its customers that outshine the competition.

Customer Success—Continued

In another recent customer success story, a growing space company turned to DTB for testing on a larger lunar lander after an unsuccessful testing campaign with another test provider. This program included structural testing, vibration, EMI/EMC, and acoustic noise testing. The testing was very complex due to the flight hardware and the tight launch schedule. Although the customer expected the test to be completed in three months, the DTB team reduced it to two months by working at least two shifts a day.

“We always operate with one goal in mind—helping our customers win,” says Rey Cortes, Director of Customer Experience for the Engineering and Test Division.

DTB’s remarkable case studies highlight their ability to reach new heights, marking significant milestones along the way. In 2024, Dayton T. Brown Sr., the company’s founder, and his son Dayton T. Brown Jr., the current CEO, were inducted into the Long Island Air & Space Hall of Fame at the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Long Island. This honor recognizes their significant contributions to advanced aeronautics and technology.

Additionally, the company earned the Vertical Flight Society’s Supplier Excellence Award as nominated by Sikorsky. The accolade celebrates DTB’s experience in blending quality, innovation, and cost-effectiveness while making meaningful contributions to the advancement of vertical flight technology.

DTB was selected for the Small Business of the Year Award by Blue Origin in recognition of its creative, extraordinary performance, and outstanding contract compliance. Today, DTB also proudly serves as a trusted testing service provider to Sentinel, USAF’s next-generation nuclear deterrent system and the Missile Defense Agency’s Next Generation Interceptor program.

These accomplishments and recognitions reflect DTB’s commitment to innovation in an industry often constrained by convention. With decades of experience and a relentless pursuit of excellence, the company doesn’t just follow industry standards—it sets them. Whether it’s designing complex test rigs, tackling tough problems, or collaborating with customers to create tailored solutions, DTB proves no challenge is too great in aerospace and defense testing.