Trex Aviation Systems began in 2005 with the goal of identifying sources of Foreign Object Debris (FOD) on airport surfaces using technology derived from parent company Trex Enterprises Corporation. Leveraging Trex Enterprises’ extensive experience in millimeter-wave (MMW) radar systems for wire detection aboard helicopters, Trex Aviation Systems’ proof of concept demonstration has developed into a core product line that specializes in the protection and safety of airport operations – the FOD Finder™, a robust solution to FOD detection and control on airport surfaces.

Parent company Trex Enterprises Corporation (Trex) was established in 1978 as Western Research Corporation and operates in San Diego, California.  From 1988 until 2000, Trex was part of Thermo Electron Corporation (NYSE: TMO), a Fortune 400 company.  In 2000, Trex employees bought ThermoTrex’s R&D division and became Trex Enterprises Corporation. Since that time, Trex subsidiaries have received approximately $175 million in venture capital support to develop new businesses.

Trex is a diversified company specializing in cutting-edge technology to improve performance across the electromagnetic spectrum and providing innovative solutions to meet the needs of commercial markets and armed forces.  With more than 30 years of government and commercial contracting experience, Trex has developed a strong base of proprietary technologies in microwave and MMW sensing, high-resolution imaging, digital signal processing, applied optics, advanced materials, energy harvesting and electro-mechanical systems. Trex has been awarded 120 patents and has applied for an additional 57 patents. Trex is a privately-held company headquartered in California, with additional facilities in Hawaii, Massachusetts and New Mexico.