Aerospace & Defense Acquisitions in Florida

By Light Professional IT Services, a portfolio company of Sagewind Capital, has acquired Orlando-based Dignitas Technologies, a provider of modeling, simulation and training (MS&T) products and mission rehearsal applications. Financial terms were not disclosed; the acquisition expands By Light's synthetic and cyber training capabilities and integrates Dignitas' work supporting multiple U.S. military branches and programs such as the F-35, ACTS II and NGC.

Exchange Income Corporation (EIC) has acquired MnM Aircraft Component Holdings, Inc. ("MACH 2") for US$43 million, funded with US$9 million in EIC common shares to the vendor and US$34 million drawn on its credit facility. MACH 2 will operate as a subsidiary of EIC's Regional One platform, accelerating Regional One's expansion into the commercial aviation aftermarket by adding MACH 2's commercial USM expertise, inventory and customer relationships.

Bain Capital has acquired APP Jet Center, a five-location fixed-base operator (FBO) platform, from Ridgewood Infrastructure. The investment—led by Bain Capital Real Estate—marks Bain's entry into the FBO sector; Mark Johnstone, former CEO of Signature Aviation, will lead APP as Bain plans to expand the platform into additional supply-constrained markets. Financial terms were not disclosed.

GracoRoberts has acquired Miami-based Sky Mart to expand its presence across Latin America and strengthen AOG readiness, inventory depth, and fulfillment capability. The deal adds roughly 42,000 square feet of fulfillment space (Miami, San Antonio, Indianapolis) and is supported by GracoRoberts' private equity sponsor, CM Equity Partners.

Pan Am Flight Academy, a portfolio company of Acorn Capital Management, has acquired Alliance Aviation, a Part 142 flight training organization. Alliance will operate as a division of Pan Am under the continued leadership of owner Federico Flores, strengthening Pan Am’s simulator-based training capabilities and expanding its reach in Latin America.

AxioAero Group, a portfolio company of CORE Industrial Partners, has acquired Airway Aerospace LLC, an FAA-, EASA- and CAA UK-certified aircraft component repair station based in Doral, Florida. The add-on strengthens AxioAero's aerospace MRO platform by adding Airway's component repair capabilities and certifications, expanding service coverage across commercial, cargo, and defense aviation markets.

AE Industrial Partners has acquired a controlling majority stake (reported ~60%) in L3Harris Technologies’ Space Propulsion and Power Systems business, in a transaction reported at about $845 million. L3Harris will retain a minority interest and remain a strategic partner; AE Industrial plans to restore the Rocketdyne name, modernize manufacturing, and accelerate next‑generation propulsion and in‑space power capabilities.

Chicago-based private equity firm McNally Capital has merged its portfolio company Quiet Professionals with Tampa-based Spathe Systems to form a new defense technology platform aimed at supporting U.S. Special Operations Forces and the broader national security community. Quiet Professionals CEO Andy Wilson will lead the combined company (which will operate under a new name) to expand capabilities across cybersecurity, intelligence, cloud services and advanced analytics. McNally partnered with Nio Advisors on the transactions; Raymond James and Ropes Gray served as McNally's financial and legal advisers, respectively.

Jet Parts Engineering (a Vance Street Capital portfolio company) has acquired Cima Aviation, an MRO specialist in fuel and hydraulic component repairs. The add-on expands JPE's aftermarket capabilities and shortens turnaround times for commercial, cargo, regional, and military aircraft customers.

XTI Aerospace acquired Drone Nerds, a major U.S. drone distributor and service provider, in a transaction announced in November 2025 that included approximately $40 million in purchase consideration. Concurrently, Unusual Machines made a $25 million strategic investment in XTI via convertible preferred stock to support XTI's expansion of vertical flight and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) capabilities.

Hughes Network Systems, an EchoStar company, has acquired Anderson Connectivity, an aerospace design, engineering and manufacturing firm based in Melbourne, Florida. The deal brings engineering talent, FAA Part 145-certified repair capabilities and a Melbourne facility (pursuing Part 21 certification) into Hughes’ aviation, space and defense portfolio; founder Brian Anderson will join Hughes as Vice President, Aviation Technology & Innovation Officer.

HEICO Corporation (through its Electronic Technologies Group) has acquired Gables Engineering, a Coral Gables, Florida-based designer and manufacturer of avionics controls, in a cash transaction. The deal—expected to be accretive to HEICO’s earnings within one year—expands HEICO’s avionics and flight-deck capabilities and supports continued R&D and American manufacturing investment.

Aerox Aerospace Group (parent of Aerox Aviation Oxygen Systems) has acquired N23D Services, LLC, a provider of FAA-PMA aftermarket gas cylinders for aviation oxygen and compressed gas systems. The acquisition expands Aerox's FAA-PMA product lines and aftermarket capabilities to better serve commercial, business and military aviation customers.

McNally Capital, partnering with Nio Advisors, acquired Quiet Professionals, a Tampa-based defense technology and intelligence contractor, in a late‑2024 investment. The investment will support Quiet Professionals’ next-phase growth — expanding analytics, AI, cybersecurity, and geospatial capabilities while preserving existing management and pursuing organic and inorganic growth.

Bain Capital has acquired Aerospace Technologies Group (ATG), a Boca Raton–based developer and supplier of electronically controlled aircraft window shade systems. ATG will operate alongside Bain portfolio company Jamco under common ownership to build a global cabin interiors platform; the seller is noted as long-time owner Jacqueline Autry.

Acorn Capital Management, a middle-market private equity firm focused on aerospace and defense, has acquired Pan Am Flight Academy, a Miami-based provider of flight simulator–based pilot and crew training. The acquisition — Acorn's fourth platform of its fifth fund — will support Pan Am's growth plans, including increasing its simulator fleet and pursuing organic and acquisitive expansion; financial terms were not disclosed.

Aerox Aerospace Group has acquired Omnigas Systems, a specialist in hydrostatic testing and MRO services for aviation oxygen components and aircraft fire-suppression systems. The business will operate as Aerox Omnigas MRO under the Aerox umbrella, expanding the group's MRO and testing capabilities to complement its oxygen systems engineering and manufacturing divisions.

Tallvine Partners has acquired Odyssey Aviation U.S., a fixed-base operator (FBO) with locations in Kissimmee, FL; Ypsilanti (Willow Run), MI; and St. Simons Island, GA, from Granite Creek Capital Partners and majority owner Equivu Capital. The transaction represents a sale/exit of the PE-backed portfolio company to an infrastructure-focused middle‑market investor.

LifePort, a Woodland, Washington-based aerospace interiors company and portfolio company of Tower Arch Capital, has acquired PAC Seating Systems, a Palm City, Florida manufacturer of custom VIP and business-jet seating. The add-on expands LifePort's VIP aircraft interior capabilities, product portfolio and geographic reach; PAC Seating's existing operators Jad Azzi and Hector Marini will remain as investors and leaders in the combined business.

Turning Rock Partners announced the majority redemption of its preferred equity investment in Next Level Aviation, marking a sponsor exit after its 2019 investment. The transaction was consummated through a management-led recapitalization (supported by a bank partner); Next Level Aviation, headquartered in Sunrise, Florida, employs ~35 people across the U.S. and Ireland and is a global supplier of used serviceable aircraft parts.

VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC) has completed the acquisition of Kellstrom Aerospace Group, Inc., a portfolio company of AE Industrial Partners, expanding VSE Aviation's distribution and MRO capabilities in the commercial engine aftermarket. VSE said the deal was funded with cash (approximately $185 million) and 172,414 common shares (subject to working capital adjustments); AE Industrial Partners' announcement characterized the sale as $200 million.

Tinicum, L.P. has acquired a controlling interest in Aeronix Technologies Group (ATG) from ShoreView Industries, with ShoreView and ATG employee shareholders retaining significant minority stakes. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, ATG supplies high-reliability defense electronics and engineering services across air, sea, ground and space domains; Tinicum said it will partner with management to support the company's next phase of growth and broaden its national security applications.

An affiliate of H.I.G. Capital has completed a strategic equity acquisition of STS Aviation Group from Greenbriar Equity Group. STS’s executive team will remain in place and as significant shareholders while H.I.G. positions the business for global expansion, capability growth, and potential add-on acquisitions in the aviation MRO and parts-distribution market.

AEVEX Aerospace has acquired Veth Research Associates (VRA), a veteran‑owned specialist in navigation, sensor fusion and autonomous systems, to strengthen its capabilities for operating unmanned systems in jammed and GPS‑denied environments. The deal brings VRA’s LYNX vision‑based navigation system and related IP and expertise into AEVEX’s portfolio, enhancing autonomous navigation and decision‑making for DoD and international customers.

T2S Solutions, a Madison Dearborn Partners–backed mission-focused defense and space systems provider, has acquired Flexitech Aerospace, an Orlando-based RF engineering and antenna manufacturer for spaceflight. The acquisition is an add-on to T2S that expands its RF communications, antenna, and spaceflight product capabilities to better serve government and commercial space customers.

kSARIA Corporation, a portfolio company of Behrman Capital, has acquired TopFlite Components, a Miami-based manufacturer of mission-critical electrical interconnect solutions. Greenwich Capital Group acted as exclusive advisor to TopFlite; the acquisition expands kSARIA's interconnect product portfolio and manufacturing capabilities for aerospace, defense and other harsh-environment end markets.

Charles Taylor has acquired M3 Aviation Services, an aviation claims, surveying and technical support specialist, effective June 27, 2024. The deal expands Charles Taylor's aviation adjusting capability and consolidates its reach across the Americas by adding M3's team and regional coverage in North and Latin America.

Atlantic Jet Partners has acquired Aerodyne Corp., a Stuart, Florida-based specialist in private jet turbine engine repair and maintenance. The deal expands Atlantic Jet Partners' aircraft engine maintenance and MRO capabilities to support its integrated aviation services offering.

Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, has acquired Jacksonville-based AMMCON Corp., a manufacturer of fittings and assembled components for naval platforms. The add-on strengthens FMD's turnkey maritime defense capabilities and expands AMMCON's products to additional U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Military Sealift Command platforms.

Precise Systems, a portfolio company of Bluestone Investment Partners, has acquired Orlando-based Jardon & Howard Technologies (JHT) in a transaction that closed on February 16, 2024. The acquisition expands Precise Systems' training and simulation capabilities for Department of Defense and other federal customers by integrating JHT's proxSIMity simulation framework and interactive courseware into its platform.

Private equity firm Teedup has acquired 55 Industries, an inspections and precision-machining services provider to the aerospace and defense sector. The deal was supported by a customized $7 million debt financing package from Leonid Capital Partners structured around 55 Industries' government contract backlog to help integrate and scale the business within the national security market.

Aero Accessories & Repair, a portfolio company of ATL Partners, has acquired AOG Accessories. Terms were not disclosed; the deal adds AOG's MRO capabilities (pneumatic, fuel, power generation, electromechanical, hydraulic, oxygen and galley components) to Aero Accessories' platform to accelerate capability and product offering expansion and strengthen customer relationships in the U.S. and internationally.

RocketStar announced it has acquired Miles Space and closed a $2.0 million seed financing that also converted $1.4 million of notes into Series Seed equity. The acquisition brings Miles Space's electric thruster and digital signal processing communications capabilities into RocketStar’s portfolio to accelerate development of fusion-enhanced propulsion, in-space communications, and launch offerings.

CORE Industrial Partners has completed a platform investment in Aviation Concepts, a Sunrise, Florida-based distributor of used serviceable material (USM) aircraft parts serving commercial and freight airlines, MROs and distributors. CORE will support Aviation Concepts’ growth and pursue strategic initiatives and complementary acquisitions; Bob Nardelli will become Chairman of Aviation Concepts’ board.

Xalles Holdings has sold ArtemisX Defense Inc., a Florida-based uncrewed systems subsidiary, to SwtSpot, LLC (a Marvina Case family company) in a profit‑sharing sale effective January 14, 2024. The transaction, with payments structured as quarterly installments equal to 90% of ArtemisX's net profits until the purchase price is paid, transfers ArtemisX's U.S. operations to SwtSpot while certain IP and products remain with Artemis Defense Technologies UK.

An affiliate of The Resolute Fund VI (managed by TJC, L.P.) has closed the acquisition of L3Harris Technologies' Commercial Aviation Solutions (CAS) business for $800 million in cash. The CAS business — comprising an Avionics manufacturing unit and a Commercial Training Solutions unit — will operate under the new name Acron Aviation and serves commercial, business/regional and military aviation customers worldwide. The sale represents L3Harris' divestiture of a commercial-focused unit to focus on its core defense operations.

Graham Corporation (NYSE: GHM) acquired P3 Technologies, a Jupiter, Florida-based custom turbomachinery engineering and manufacturing business, in a stock-and-cash bolt-on transaction to expand its turbomachinery capabilities and proprietary technology. P3 generated approximately $6.0 million of revenue in fiscal 2023 and brings patented technologies (MCD and SCAMP) and an $8 million backlog; the stock portion of the purchase price is valued at $2.0 million (stock priced using a $15.92 average).

Eqlipse Technologies, a portfolio company of Arlington Capital Partners, has agreed to acquire SR Technologies (SRT), a provider of signals intelligence (SIGINT) and electronic warfare (EW) products and engineering solutions. The add-on acquisition expands Eqlipse's technical capabilities for Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and federal law enforcement customers; financial terms were not disclosed and the deal was expected to close in Q4 2023.

VideoRay of Pottstown, Pennsylvania has acquired Blue Ring Imaging, a St. Petersburg, Florida developer of 3D visualization, multi-view perception and simulation technologies for unmanned systems. The acquisition brings Blue Ring's AI, AR/VR, 3D reconstruction and simulation capabilities into VideoRay's Mission Specialist ROV product line to improve autonomy, situational awareness and object detection for naval, research and commercial customers.

AeroVironment, Inc. has agreed to acquire 100% of Tomahawk Robotics for $120 million in a mix of cash and stock. The acquisition brings Tomahawk's AI-enabled Kinesis common control system into AeroVironment's small UAS business unit to deepen interoperability, accelerate AI/autonomy adoption, and expand the combined offering to military and allied customers while retaining Tomahawk's Florida workforce and facilities.

Signia Aerospace, a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, has acquired Lifesaving Systems Corp., a Florida-based supplier of helicopter and maritime rescue and survival equipment. The acquisition expands Signia's Mission Systems capabilities by adding Lifesaving Systems' rescue hooks, harnesses, litters and other maritime rescue products to its Onboard Systems business for cross-selling and operational integration.

First Class Air Holdings (a portfolio company of O2 Investment Partners) made an investment in AVI Aviation, the holding company for Aviation Inflatables, Inc. and Survival Products, Inc., expanding FCAH’s aerospace aftermarket capabilities. AVI is an FAA/EASA Part 21 manufacturer and Part 145 licensed repair station specializing in MRO and manufacturing of aircraft emergency equipment and is headquartered in Sunrise, Florida.

LifePort, a portfolio company of Tower Arch Capital, has acquired PAC Seating Systems, a Palm City, Florida-based manufacturer of custom seating solutions for the business jet and VIP aerospace market. The deal expands LifePort's interiors and dynamic seating capabilities and geographic reach; existing PAC Seating operators Jad Azzi and Hector Marini will remain as investors and leaders in the combined business.

First Aviation Services Inc. has acquired Associated Aircraft Manufacturing & Sales, Inc. (AAMSI), a Fort Lauderdale-based manufacturer and MRO provider for aircraft electronics, avionics, hydraulic and landing gear components. The deal, completed on November 22, 2022, expands First Aviation's manufacturing and repair capabilities — particularly its defense / DOD-approved repairs — and creates opportunities for vertical integration across its component repair and overhaul operations.

ATL Partners has made a majority investment in Aero Accessories & Repair, LLC, a Miramar, Florida-based provider of aerospace component maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. The founders, David and Kevin Vail, will remain significant equity holders and management will continue to run the business as ATL looks to support organic growth, geographic expansion and pursue add-on opportunities.

Veritas Capital, through an affiliate, has entered into an agreement to acquire Sequa Corporation, the parent of Chromalloy, from funds managed by Carlyle. Chromalloy, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, is a leading provider of engine and gas turbine parts, repairs and related manufacturing capabilities; Veritas intends to invest in its proprietary LifeX solutions and accelerate growth.

HEICO Corporation's dB Control subsidiary acquired 100% of the stock of Charter Engineering, Inc., a Pinellas Park, Florida-based designer and manufacturer of RF and microwave coaxial switches. The acquisition will integrate Charter into HEICO's Electronic Technologies Group and expand dB Control's RF/microwave switch offering; HEICO expects the deal to be accretive within the year.

Micross Components has acquired PAAL Technologies, a U.S.-based supplier of MIL-STD-1553 data bus couplers, harness assemblies and RF/wideband transformers. The acquisition expands Micross's high-reliability components portfolio and gives PAAL customers single-source access to Micross's end-to-end microelectronic services and broader product lines.

Zanite Acquisition Corp. closed its previously announced business combination with EVE UAM, LLC, a subsidiary of Embraer S.A., and changed its name to Eve Holding, Inc., with common stock expected to trade on the NYSE under the symbol EVEX. An upsized $357 million PIPE also closed, including a $185 million investment from Embraer and contributions from a consortium of financial and strategic investors to provide growth capital and strategic support for Eve's Urban Air Mobility development.

O2 Investment Partners, through its platform First Class Air Holdings, has made an investment in and partnered with Aviation Inflatables and Survival Products to support the companies' strategic growth plans. Aviation Inflatables (an FAA/EASA-licensed MRO and PMA manufacturer) and Survival Products (manufacturer of FAA-approved life rafts) will join the First Class Air Holdings platform to expand geographic reach and enhance aftermarket MRO and safety equipment capabilities.