Herrick Tech Labs

About Herrick Tech Labs

Herrick Technology Laboratories, Inc. (HTL) operates as a specialized designer and manufacturer of high-performance electronics for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied nations. Founded in 2000 by Dave Herrick, the company initially functioned as an R&D lab focused on signal detection and exploitation systems. Herrick and current CEO Acie Vickers have known each other since the 1980s from their time working on U.S. Army Electronic Warfare (EW) programs. A significant transformation occurred in 2013 when Acie Vickers, after founding and exiting a previous company (DRT), invested in HTL, steering its focus from prototyping to the design and manufacturing of end-user Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and EW products.

The company's business is centered on its core Software Defined Radio (SDR) platform, which provides multi-channel radio frequency (RF) and microwave transceiver capabilities. These systems are engineered for demanding mission environments where size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) are critical constraints. HTL's revenue is generated through the sale of these hardware and software products, securing substantial federal contracts and subcontracts. The primary client base consists of U.S. government defense and intelligence customers, with the Department of the Navy being a major partner. The business model involves both direct product sales and providing support services like signal environment analysis and field testing.

HTL's product portfolio is built on a modular, open architecture design that supports third-party development via a Software Development Kit (SDK). This allows for flexible integration and adaptation for various SIGINT and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) applications. Products range from 3U VPX modules and chassis to complete turn-key systems designed for land, air, and sea operations. A notable product is the HPack, a man-portable solution for on-the-move signal collection and geolocation. In April 2024, HTL secured a $25 million investment from Blue Delta Capital Partners to accelerate the development of next-generation radios and pursue small, strategic acquisitions in areas like drone integration and AI.