Butler National Corporation was established in 1968 through the merger of an aviation research firm owned by the Butler family and National Connector Corporation. Butler National combined the resources of these two companies to develop one of the first commercial Area Navigation Systems used for airplane navigation. The company operates in the aerospace and services business segments. The service market includes electronic monitoring of water pumping stations, temporary employee and management services for Indian gaming enterprises. The aerospace segment includes the manufacture of switching equipment for Boeing aircraft, fuel tank protection devices for aircraft and structural modifications to business and commercial aircraft. The company is based in Olathe, Kan.