Defense Contract Manufacturer & Precision CNC Supplier
Firstar Precision is an ITAR-registered defense CNC supplier headquartered in Brunswick, Ohio. We machine precision components for weapons systems, autonomous platforms, propulsion, ordnance, and other rugged applications. Our shop holds the compliance credentials, quality systems, and domestic supply chain that defense programs demand.
ITAR
Registered
Registered with the DDTC for the manufacturing and handling of defense articles and technical data on the U.S. Munitions List.
CMMC Level 2
Certified
Covering 110 NIST SP 800-171 practices for the handling of Controlled Unclassified Data (CUI).
JCP Certified Manufacturer
Joint Certification Program approved for controlled, unclassified U.S./Canada technical data access.
ISO 9001:2015
Certified
Documented quality management system with CMM inspection, first article capability, and full process traceability.
100% Domestic Manufacturing
All production at our 27,000 sq. ft. Ohio facility. DFARS-compliant material sourcing available for applicable programs.
Precision CNC Machining for Defense Programs
The defense industry operates in a world where there is zero margin for error. From high-performance aircraft and spacecraft to advanced defense systems, every component must meet the highest standards of precision, durability, and reliability.
At Firstar, we work with a range of military and defense organizations, from gas turbine engine suppliers to munition suppliers, to create rugged parts built to last.
Applications for Machined Defense Components
Firstar’s in-house machining capabilities include 5-axis turning, horizontal and vertical CNC milling, wire EDM, OD grinding, laser etch, and horizontal honing. Our shop covers the full range of precision components demanded by modern defense programs.
Weapons Systems & Ordnance Components
Our shop is built to support precision-machined components for systems like launchers and munitions bodies. We machine the internal, mechanical components that make these systems run.
Enclosures & Structural Hardware
Firstar’s team of experienced engineers and machinists regularly produce aluminum enclosures and structural components built for rugged communications and surveillance systems.
Gas Turbine & Propulsion Components
Turbine engine components for defense applications, like UAV shims thinner than human, cross our shop floor. These components are built for the thermal and mechanical demands of military applications.
Autonomous & Unmanned Systems
We take pride in producing lightweight, dimensionally stable components for actuator housings and sensor enclosures in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
Ground Vehicle & Armored System Components
We machine high-strength components for land-based defense platforms such as drivetrain hardware and hydraulic system components built to withstand shock, vibration, and field operating conditions.
Take A Look Inside Firstar
Our aim is to be a true extension of our clients’ teams. Meet the people behind Firstar who makes this happen everyday and get a glimpse inside our shop.
Materials for Aerospace and Defense Components
The aerospace and defense industry requires materials capable of meeting extraordinary demands. Firstar works with a variety of advanced materials, including:
Titanium
Lightweight, strong, and corrosion-resistant, ideal for aircraft and spacecraft components.
Aluminum Alloys
Versatile and lightweight, used extensively in structural and non-structural applications.
Stainless Steel
Offering strength, corrosion resistance, and durability for critical systems.
Nickel Alloys
High-performance materials for extreme heat and pressure environments.
Why Defense Buyers Choose Firstar
As a defense CNC supplier and contract manufacturer in Ohio, Firstar gives defense companies a domestic, compliance-cleared machining partner with the quality systems, inspection capability, and supply chain discipline to perform across the life of a program.
Compliance-Ready Supply Chain
Firstar is ITAR registered, JCP approved, and CMMC Level 2 certified. We understand the qualification requirements defense companies demand of their supply chains and are built to meet them. See our full quality and certification documentation.
Domestic Manufacturing with No Offshore Risk
We’re a 100% USA-based defense parts manufacturer in Brunswick, Ohio. Domestic sourcing eliminates the defense supply chain risk that comes with offshore machining for controlled programs.
Multi-Process In-House Capability
We offer EDM, turning, milling, grinding, honing, gear cutting, laser etch, mechanical assembly, and inspection all under one roof. Fewer subcontractors in your supply chain means fewer compliance touchpoints and tighter schedule control. Explore our full machining capabilities.
Early Engineering Collaboration
Defense programs move fast, and design changes are expensive. Our Design for Manufacturing review process catches tolerance stack-up, fixturing issues, and material substitution opportunities before they hit your program schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions: Defense CNC Machining & Supplier Compliance
Common questions from defense engineers, program managers, and supply chain teams evaluating precision CNC machining suppliers for defense programs.
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ITAR — the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (22 CFR Parts 120–130) — governs the manufacturing, export, and handling of defense articles and related technical data listed on the U.S. Munitions List (USML). Any machine shop that manufactures components for defense applications, or receives ITAR-controlled drawings and specifications, must be registered with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). Using an unregistered supplier for ITAR-covered work creates legal exposure for both the supplier and the contracting company. Firstar is ITAR registered.
Qualify Firstar for Your Defense Program
Our team is ready to support your supplier qualification process and discuss how Firstar can fulfill your program requirements.