Aerospace & Defense Acquisitions in Alabama

Radiance Technologies, a 100% employee‑owned prime contractor based in Huntsville, Alabama, has acquired Phased n Research, a radar and electronic warfare (EW) engineering firm founded in 2018. The deal brings Phasedn’s radar, modeling & simulation, and EW capabilities into Radiance’s portfolio; founder Dr. Bassem Mahafza will move to an emeritus/advisor role and Dr. Mark Tillman will become President of Phasedn to ensure continuity and alignment with Department of Defense modernization efforts.

Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA), a portfolio company of Arlington Capital Partners, has acquired Intrepid, a Huntsville, Alabama-based engineering firm with prime positions in missiles and space, enterprise modernization, and aviation and mission support. The add-on strengthens SPA's capabilities in integrated battle management and enterprise modernization, broadening its presence with the U.S. Army and enhancing mission support across missile, space and aviation domains.

Applied Aerospace, a Greenbriar Equity-backed aerospace manufacturer based in Stockton, California, has completed the acquisition of NeXolve, a Huntsville, Alabama developer and manufacturer of advanced polyimide films, resins and deployable space subsystems. The NeXolve brand will be retained as a product line and its team and facilities will form an Advanced Materials & Deployable Systems division to expand Applied Aerospace's capabilities in deployable sunshields, solar sails and passive deorbit systems for government and commercial space customers.

Special Aerospace Services (SAS), a Godspeed Capital-backed platform, has acquired Huntsville-based Concordia Technologies, a specialist in missile and hypersonic weapons defense, sensor design, and modeling & simulation. The deal — which closed October 24, 2024 — strengthens SAS's hypersonics and missile defense capabilities and expands its national security space engineering and mission-support offerings.

Bluestone Investment Partners has completed a strategic growth investment in Qualis Corporation through its SBICCT-licensed fund, BIP III SBIC LP. The capital will support Qualis — a Huntsville-based missile defense and space systems technology company — to accelerate technology development, organic growth and potential acquisitions while management remains in place.

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER) has acquired FMS Aerospace, a Huntsville-based provider of airframe modification, integration, flight test and airworthiness certification services. The equity-only transaction has a total value of $20.6 million (including $17.51 million issued at close and up to $3.09 million contingent earn-out); FMS reported $10.3 million of revenue and $2.5 million of net income for the year ended December 31, 2023. Bridger said the deal brings engineering, modification and manufacturing capabilities in-house to support mission-critical air services, defense systems engineering and its Multi-Mission Aircraft program.

Godspeed Capital-backed Special Aerospace Services (SAS) has acquired Willbrook Solutions, a Huntsville-based analytical solutions provider to the Missile Defense Agency, DIA, NASA and the DoD. The add-on expands SAS’s space engineering and missile defense capabilities, bringing Willbrook’s ~75 cleared engineering and analytics professionals into the SAS platform to support missile defense, modeling & simulation, telemetry and related programs.

H.I.G. Capital, through an affiliate, has completed the acquisition of Segers Aero Corporation, an FAA-certified provider of engine, accessory and propeller MRO services for C-130 and similar aircraft. H.I.G. will partner with Segers' existing management to invest in capacity and capabilities to support continued growth and expanded service offerings to military operators, OEMs and cargo carriers.

Raptor Scientific has acquired MEDTHERM Corporation, a Huntsville, Alabama-based maker of heat flux sensors, infrared radiometers, and thermocouples for aerospace, defense, space, and industrial applications. The purchase brings MEDTHERM's precision sensing capabilities into Raptor's test-and-measurement product portfolio and will support continued investment in the business and service continuity for customers and employees.

Sentar Inc., a Huntsville-based cyber intelligence and technology firm, has acquired Waterfront Technical Services, a Huntsville company that provides flight and ground operations, data center operations, IT, software development, and test support for NASA missions. The acquisition expands Sentar's capabilities and reach into civil space programs, with Waterfront's president Allan McCaleb joining Sentar as Director of Civil Space programs.

Akima has completed the acquisition of Pinnacle Solutions, a Huntsville-based provider of aviation operations, flight training, simulation and sustainment services, bringing approximately 500 employees into the Akima family. The purchase expands Akima's aviation and training capabilities in the defense and aerospace markets and Pinnacle will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary under its existing leadership.

Blue Sea Capital, a West Palm Beach-based private equity firm, made a substantial equity investment in Plasma Processes, LLC to fund capacity expansion and accelerated growth. Plasma Processes, based in Huntsville, Alabama, supplies ultra-high temperature materials, coatings, additive manufacturing and rocket nozzles for hypersonic, space and aeroengine markets.

The Carlyle Group and Stellex Capital Management have acquired IMIA Group Holdings from J.F. Lehman & Company. IMIA, headquartered in Spanish Fort, Alabama, is a leading provider of multi-disciplined marine preservation, scaffolding, environmental containment and staffing services for U.S. Navy MRO and new construction, with a workforce of over 1,500 employees.

AMETEK, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Abaco Systems, Inc. from Veritas Capital in an all-cash transaction valued at $1.35 billion. Abaco, headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, is a provider of rugged embedded computing systems for aerospace, defense and specialized industrial markets with approximately $325 million in annual sales; the acquisition will fold Abaco into AMETEK's Electronic Instruments Group and is expected to close mid-2021 subject to customary approvals.

Arlington Capital Partners announced the formation of BlueHalo by combining its portfolio company AEgis Technologies (including prior integrated acquisitions Excivity and EMRC Heli) with newly acquired Applied Technology Associates and Brilligent Solutions. The merged company, BlueHalo, will provide advanced engineering and technology solutions across space, directed energy, missile defense, C4ISR, and cyber for the national security community.

DC Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in Alexandria, Virginia, has formed a strategic partnership with Hill Technical Solutions, Inc. (HTSI), a Huntsville, Alabama-based defense engineering and systems-integration firm. The partnership will provide capital and resources to expand HTSI's capabilities and customer base across U.S. government defense programs; Duff & Phelps and Holland & Knight advised HTSI, while Latham & Watkins advised DC Capital.

Lockheed Martin signed a definitive agreement to acquire a portion of Integration Innovation Inc. (i3), specifically i3's hypersonics strike and defense portfolio. The asset is expected to close in about 30 days, and upon closing the hypersonics portfolio will be managed by Lockheed Martin's Space business area to expand hypersonic-specific capabilities for government and commercial customers.

QuantiTech LLC, a portfolio company of Sagewind Capital, has acquired Dynamic Concepts, Inc. (DCI), a Huntsville-based provider of high-end engineering and software services for human spaceflight. The acquisition expands QuantiTech's capabilities and deepens its relationships with NASA, the Department of Defense, and commercial space customers; financial terms were not disclosed.

New York-based private equity firm Sagewind Capital made a minority growth investment in QuantiTech LLC, a Huntsville, Alabama–based provider of technical engineering services to the U.S. defense and space community. QuantiTech's existing management will remain in place and retain significant equity; Sagewind said it will support QuantiTech’s growth strategy, including acquisitions and capability expansion.

Arlington Capital Partners agreed to make a majority investment in AEgis Technologies and has appointed Jonathan Moneymaker as CEO. The investment will support expanded R&D and strategic acquisitions as Arlington builds AEgis into a platform focused on space superiority, directed energy, missile defense and related national security capabilities.