About Nighthawk Flight Systems
Nighthawk makes cockpit displays and warning systems for airplanes and helicopters. It serves general aviation and business users. Its markets also include air transport and military operators. Its product family supports upgrades to existing aircraft and installation in newly built aircraft.
The privately held company builds its displays in Vista, California, from circuit boards through finished units. It holds AS9100 and ISO 9001 certifications. The Federal Aviation Administration has certified its production and repair stations. Paul Martin is president and chief executive officer.
Funding Rounds (SEC Form D)
| First sale | Filed with SEC | Amount sold | Investors | Avg. check | Terms | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 14, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | $1,899,998of $2.5M target | 5 | $379K | EquityRule 506(b) | Form D ↗ |
First sale is the date the first investor in the offering committed to invest. Companies must file Form D within 15 days of that date, so filing dates run later.
Why Investors Backed Nighthawk Flight Systems
The investment case centers on operators seeking display upgrades without major panel changes. Nighthawk’s compact displays are FAA certified across aircraft and helicopter categories. Guardian’s modular core allows individual functions to change without replacing the full system. [1][5]
Origin and Team
Paul Martin previously held executive leadership roles at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works and led government and advanced development programs at Sikorsky Aircraft. He later held C-level roles at private and startup companies. [2]
Chief technology officer David Lanning has more than 41 years of avionics development experience. He previously held technology chief roles at Honeywell. His work spans avionics systems, hardware, and software development. It also covers FAA certification and production. [2]
Chief engineer John Morton has experience in software and system design, systems engineering, and product development. He has led teams across software, hardware, mechanical, and systems work. Principal software engineer Brian Jenkins has 13 years of certified software experience in commercial and defense aerospace. [2]
Product and Technology
Nighthawk’s compact primary displays are FAA certified for all aircraft and helicopter categories. Their high-resolution screens support upgrades without major panel changes. [1]
Guardian is a large-format cockpit system built around a central NEST unit. The unit houses separate functions and links its displays to existing aircraft systems. Customers can add functions or change displays without replacing the entire system. [5]
The announced initial Guardian package supported up to two surface-mounted 11.6-inch touchscreens. The sunlight-readable screens had full high-definition resolution and tactile controls. One cable linked each screen to NEST. Guardian integrated with Garmin and Avidyne GPS navigators. [5]
Guardian shows a three-dimensional synthetic outside view with obstacle and terrain information. It also shows traffic, weather, and real-world imagery. Initial functions included terrain warnings, aviation charts, and maps. [5]
The October 2025 plan priced one display at $33,200 and two at $39,900. Initial availability targeted Part 23 Class I and II, Part 22, and experimental aircraft. Seven-inch displays were planned for the first quarter of 2026. [5]
Guardian test-aircraft contributors included Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, Electronics International, and MOOG. Others included PS Engineering and Aircraft Performance Group/Seattle Avionics. [5]
Nighthawk also offers the SA4550, SN4500, and SN3500 cockpit displays. Its terrain-warning range includes the ST3400, ST3400H, and ST3453H. The SG102 and SG102/D are digital or analog avionics units. [3]
Nighthawk also develops embedded software for manufacturers that need terrain and obstacle awareness and warning functions. [4]
Milestones
Scroll table to see all columns →
| Date | What happened | Source | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 25, 2026 | Nighthawk partnered with Scandinavian Avionics to expand its European support presence. | [4] | — |
| Mar 23, 2026 | Nighthawk was selected for an AEA New Product Introduction. | [4] | — |
| Oct 14, 2025 | Nighthawk announced a December 2025 delivery start for Guardian. | [5] | — |
| Jul 23, 2025 | Nighthawk announced an agreement with Aircraft Performance Group involving Guardian. | [4] | — |
| Jul 21, 2025 | Comp Air Aviation selected Guardian for its 6.2 piston and turbine aircraft. | [4] | — |
| Jul 14, 2025 | Nighthawk unveiled Guardian. | [4] | Skies Magazine ↗ |
Market
Paul Martin’s view is that pilots want integrated avionics at affordable prices without sacrificing performance. [5]
We wrote this summary from public statements by Nighthawk Flight Systems and its investors. It is not investment advice.
Leadership Team
Executive officers and directors listed on Nighthawk Flight Systems's Form D filed Nov 13, 2026.
Sources
- CompanyNighthawk Flight Systems home page · linked above ↑
- CompanyAbout Nighthawk Flight Systems
- CompanyNighthawk Flight Systems contact and product page
- CompanyNighthawk Flight Systems news and events
- CompanyGuardian pricing and delivery announcement
- SECNighthawk Flight Systems Form D, filed 2026-11-13 · linked above ↑
- PressSkies Magazine coverage of Guardian · linked above ↑
- SECNighthawk Flight Systems, Inc. filing history