Elastomerics Blog

International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) require manufacturers of defense articles to maintain registration and compliance with U.S. government controls. Items controlled under ITAR are on the United States Munitions List (USML), but that doesn’t mean they’re limited to defense platforms like military airframes or missile guidance systems.

ITAR also applies to specialized components like EMI gaskets that are used in military satellites, and to cut or molded gaskets used in military avionics housings. Stockwell Elastomerics fabricates these and other items and is both ITAR registered and AS9100:2016 certified. Both designations support aerospace supply chain assurance, but the importance of ITAR registration can be misunderstood.

ITAR Registered vs. ITAR Compliant

Aerospace companies regularly evaluate suppliers that claim to be “ITAR compliant” or “ITAR registered.” Subcontractors sometimes use these interchangeably, but they represent distinct operational and legal conditions. The differences extend to a company’s legal status with the U.S. government, its authority to manufacture defense articles, and the strength of its security controls.

As an ITAR-registered supplier to the defense and aerospace industry, Stockwell Elastomerics is officially registered with the U.S. Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). This gives Stockwell Elastomerics the legal authority to fabricate USML-controlled parts, such as aerospace gaskets that were specifically engineered for a defense platform listed on the USML.

ITAR-compliant suppliers are not registered with the DDTC. Moreover, they cannot legally accept or process ITAR-controlled work such as gasket fabrication for military aerospace assets. Because ITAR compliance is an informal self-declaration, equating “ITAR compliant” with “ITAR registered” can create liability risks for prime contractors.

ITAR and Information Security

ITAR registration also extends to information security, the practice of protecting sensitive data and systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. Because the aerospace industry relies on a network of subcontractors, hackers target smaller vendors with weaker security as entry points for breaching prime contractors or federal systems.

To achieve its ITAR registration, Stockwell Elastomerics has implemented mandatory, audited physical and cyber access controls. This includes CMMC Level 2 certification, which requires implementation of all 110 security controls in NIST SP 800-171 for the protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

In the aerospace industry, CUI primarily refers to Controlled Technical Information (CTI). This includes engineering drawings, 3D CAD models, material specifications, and manufacturing process documentation. CUI intersects with ITAR because ITAR technical data is specifically categorized in the CUI registry, an official government repository, under Specified CUI: Defense / Export Control.

Achieving Aerospace Supply Chain Assurance

For the aerospace industry, achieving supply chain assurance is about more than airworthiness compliance and counterfeit protection. AS9100 outlines specific controls, but ITAR registration – and not ITAR compliance – is required for defense articles that are on the USML. This include specialized components like silicone gaskets for military aircraft and satellites.

Stockwell Elastomerics specializes in silicone gasket solutions and understands the requirements that defense and aerospace manufacturers need to meet, including for information security. To talk to our Applications Engineering Team, complete our on-line form, email service@stockwell.com, or call (215) 335-3005.