Aerospace & Defense Acquisitions in Washington

Loar Holdings completed an all-cash acquisition of Harper Engineering Company for $250 million. Loar said it will combine its operational and engineering capabilities with Harper’s portfolio of aircraft interior latching and securing mechanisms to expand Harper’s aftermarket footprint and support growth from rising commercial aircraft build rates.

Karman Space & Defense (NYSE: KRMN) acquired Five Axis Industries, an Arlington, Washington-based supplier of advanced nozzle and fuel system subsystems, for $83 million in cash plus approximately $5 million in Karman shares (about $88 million total). The acquisition, which closed October 28, 2025, expands Karman's propulsion and launch-system capabilities by adding proprietary nozzle, spun-form and 3D-printed Inconel technologies and was funded in part by an increase to Karman's Term Loan B.

AAR CORP. has acquired Seattle-based Aerostrat, a long-range aviation maintenance planning software provider, for $15 million plus contingent consideration of up to $5 million. The deal brings Aerostrat's Aerros product into AAR's Trax suite to expand Trax's ERP and long-range planning capabilities and continue to offer Aerros as a standalone solution to airlines, MROs, and cargo operators.

Heads Up Technologies (HUT) has acquired Innovative Advantage, a Kirkland, Washington-based cabin management system (CMS) specialist, marking HUT's third acquisition in three years. The deal expands HUT's proprietary cabin technologies—combining Innovative Advantage's AVDS platform with HUT's lighting and control systems and Alto Aviation's audio capabilities—to offer fully integrated cabin solutions for business and commercial aircraft.

DEMGY Pacific, LLC (a member of the DEMGY Group) acquired the assets of Tool‑Gauge and Machine Works, Inc., a Tacoma, Washington‑based supplier of complex metal and plastic parts to the commercial aerospace industry. The deal expands DEMGY's global footprint and aerospace capabilities by adding Tool‑Gauge's machining and thermoplastic injection molding capacity and approximately 200 employees in the United States.

Heven, the Miami-based hydrogen-powered drone developer, has acquired Zepher Flight Labs (ZFL) to strengthen its modular UAS portfolio and accelerate development of long-endurance, VTOL drone capabilities. The acquisition integrates ZFL’s lightweight VTOL technology and engineering team into Heven to expand product capabilities for defense, security and commercial markets.

Trelleborg Group, through its Trelleborg Sealing Solutions business area, has signed an agreement to acquire Aero-Plastics Inc., a Renton, Washington-based manufacturer of precision injection-molded and thermoformed high-performance polymer components for the aerospace interiors market. The acquisition — expected to close in Q2 2025 — expands Trelleborg's thermoplastics and interiors capabilities, adds capacity and customer relationships, and is intended to generate sales synergies within its aerospace offering.

The Codan Group, through its wholly owned subsidiary Codan US Inc., has agreed to acquire 100% of US-based SKT2 LLC dba Kägwerks, a developer of soldier-worn tactical networking communications hardware and software. The deal, funded partly by increased debt capacity and including upfront cash (~$33.6m) plus up-to-5% royalties over five years, positions Codan to expand its tactical communications capabilities and accelerate entry into the US military market.

Ducommun Incorporated (NYSE: DCO) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire BLR Aerospace, LLC, a provider of aerodynamic systems and aftermarket services for rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft. The transaction, announced March 20, 2023, is expected to close in Q2 2023 subject to customary conditions and will be financed through Ducommun's revolving credit facility.

VSE Corporation has acquired Precision Fuel Components, LLC in an all-cash transaction that is immediately accretive to VSE's Aviation segment. Precision Fuel, a Washington-based provider of MRO services for engine accessories and fuel systems serving the B&GA and rotorcraft markets, expands VSE Aviation's specialty MRO capabilities and provides cross-selling opportunities into new rotorcraft and fixed-wing customers.

Arcline Investment Management, a growth-oriented private equity firm, has acquired Onboard Systems International from Liberty Hall Capital Partners. The acquisition expands Arcline's portfolio in mission-critical electromechanical systems for aerospace and defense, adding a designer, manufacturer, and servicer of external cargo equipment for military and civil helicopters headquartered in Vancouver, Washington.

Karman Missile & Space Systems, a platform backed by Trive Capital, has acquired Systima Technologies to expand its capabilities across the space, missile and hypersonic supply chains. The Systima leadership team will remain as equity holders and senior leaders of Karman; the deal is an add-on to the Karman platform to broaden engineering, composite-structure and energetic systems capabilities.

Cornerstone Capital Holdings acquired Integrated Technologies, Inc. (Intec) from LMI Aerospace (a division of The Sonaca Group) on July 1, 2021. The acquisition adds composite and thermoplastic manufacturing and materials testing capabilities to Cornerstone's existing metallic manufacturing portfolio to better serve aerospace, defense and space customers.

AFV Partners LLC has acquired Seattle Avionics, a provider of general aviation flight applications, FAA-certified charts and flight data, and augmented reality technology, from founders John Rutter and Steve Podradchik. The transaction closed on September 3, 2020; Rutter and Podradchik will join AFV Partners' aviation vertical to help expand chart/data capabilities and accelerate product innovation.

Columbia River Partners (CRP), a newly formed private investment firm, completed the carveout acquisition of the avionics division now operating as Sagetech Avionics Corp, based in White Salmon, Washington. CRP acquired the business from a company in receivership and intends to expand Sagetech's product portfolio, engineering capacity and global reach to serve commercial and military unmanned aerial systems (UAS) markets.

Parker Hannifin Corporation completed the cash acquisition of Exotic Metals Forming Company LLC for $1.725 billion. The purchase brings Exotic's high-temperature, high-pressure air and exhaust management and complex engine turbine hot-section assemblies into Parker's Aerospace group to expand Parker's engine and aircraft systems capabilities.

Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. agreed to acquire AIM Aerospace from Liberty Hall Capital Partners for US$510 million in cash. AIM Aerospace, a Renton, Washington–based designer and manufacturer of advanced composite structures, engine components and thermoplastic aerospace technologies, becomes a wholly owned operating company of Sekisui to expand the acquirer's aerospace materials and manufacturing capabilities.

Advanced Integration Technology (AIT) announced an investment to acquire Nova-Tech Engineering, a Lynnwood, Washington-based designer and integrator of aerospace assembly automation, materials handling and friction-stir welding equipment. Nova-Tech will operate as a distinct business line within AIT, expanding AIT’s aerospace automation capabilities and international footprint; financial terms were not disclosed.

Acorn Growth Companies has acquired Raisbeck Engineering Inc., a Seattle-based developer and manufacturer of aircraft performance improvement systems. Participating financing and investment partners included Congruent Investment Partners, Independent Bankers Capital Funds, Omega Capital and Arvest Bank. Founder James D. Raisbeck will remain as chairman and the company will continue to operate under its brand; financial terms were not disclosed.

Liberty Hall Capital Partners has acquired LaCroix Industries Inc., a Kent, Washington-based Tier II supplier of formed and machined aerospace parts, and will integrate the business into its Accurus Aerospace platform. The add-on expands Accurus's sheet-metal forming and complementary machining capabilities, strengthens relationships with Boeing, and extends Accurus's geographic footprint into the Pacific Northwest.

Wencor Group has acquired Soundair Aviation Services, a Snohomish, Washington-based repair station and PMA manufacturer serving the global commercial airline industry. Terms were not disclosed; Alderman & Company Capital served as exclusive financial advisor to Soundair on the sale.