Based on the aggregated intelligence of 125,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, Axsys Technologies (NASDAQ:AXYS), a maker of optical systems for the military, has earned a respected four-star ranking.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Axsys' business, and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.

Axsys facts 

Headquarters (founded)

Rocky Hill, Connecticut (1959)

Market Cap

$450 million

Industry

Aerospace and defense

TTM Revenue

$229.45 million

Management

Chairman/CEO Stephen Bershad (since 1986)

President/COO Scott Conner (since 2007)

Return on Equity (average, last three years)

10.5%

Competitors

FLIR Systems (NASDAQ:FLIR)

L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL)

CAPS members bullish on AXYS also bullish on

Marvel Entertainment (NYSE:MVL)

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)

CAPS members bearish on AXYS also bearish on

Citigroup (NYSE:C)

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR)

Sources: Capital IQ (a division of Standard & Poor's), and Motley Fool CAPS. TTM = trailing 12 months.

Over on CAPS, 650 of the 672 members who have rated Axsys -- or 97% -- believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include darrenc23 and nonzerosum.

Last week, darrenc23 tapped Axsys as a good way to get defensive:

Axsys generates the majority of its revenue from government contracts. Since 9/11, the government has boosted its defense systems. This positions Axsys to take full advantage. Combine that will zero debt and you are looking at a winner when the market turns around.

In an earlier pitch from last month, nonzerosum wrote that, for Axsys, there's more cash flow than meets the eye:

[Axsys] should collect on its huge A/R [accounts receivable] account because these are government buyers. Once the A/R improves the operating cash flow will suddenly look very good. The strong revenue growth points to a fair value around $120, but it can only get there if the cash flows support the story.

What do you think about Axsys, or any other stock for that matter? Make your voice heard on Motley Fool CAPS today. More than 125,000 investors are waiting to hear what you have to say. CAPS is 100% free, so simply click here to get started.