New State Capital Partners Acquires AVEX

Madison Dearborn Partners and CoVant Management Acquire AEVEX Aerospace

March 9, 2020

Aerospace & Defense

Madison Dearborn Partners and CoVant Management have agreed to acquire majority ownership of AEVEX Aerospace from Trive Capital. AEVEX is a provider of full‑spectrum airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (AISR) technology solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense, Special Operations, and the Intelligence Community; the company employs approximately 600 people and maintains offices across multiple U.S. states. The transaction is expected to close by the end of Q1 2020, and AEVEX's founder‑management team will retain a significant ownership stake.

New State Aviation Holdings Acquires Blackhawk Aerospace

January 3, 2023

Aerospace & Defense

New State Aviation Holdings, a general aviation platform sponsored by New State Capital Partners, has acquired Blackhawk Aerospace, a Waco, Texas-based leader in turboprop engine upgrades and aircraft performance improvements. Blackhawk will join NS Aviation's aviation portfolio alongside AVEX and continue to operate independently with its management team remaining in place; terms were not disclosed.

New State Aviation Holdings Acquires Finnoff Aviation Products

June 15, 2023

Aerospace & Defense

New State Capital Partners’ aviation platform, New State Aviation Holdings (NS Aviation), has acquired Finnoff Aviation Products, a Broomfield, Colorado–based provider of engine, propeller and avionics upgrades for the Pilatus PC-12. Finnoff’s founder and management will remain with the company; the deal is an add-on to NS Aviation’s existing aviation portfolio (including Blackhawk Aerospace and AVEX) and terms were not disclosed.

DC Capital Partners Acquires uAvionix Corporation

March 9, 2022

Aerospace & Defense

DC Capital Partners Management, LP has acquired uAvionix Corporation, a maker of small form-factor communications, navigation, and surveillance avionics for unmanned and manned aircraft. The private equity firm said it will support uAvionix in scaling operations, expanding product capabilities, and pursuing adjacent and defense markets globally.

Mercury Systems Acquires Avalex Technologies Corporation

September 27, 2021

Aerospace & Defense

Mercury Systems, Inc. signed a definitive agreement to acquire Avalex Technologies Corporation, a Gulf Breeze, Florida-based provider of mission-critical avionics (rugged displays, communications management, digital video recorders, and warning systems). The all-cash asset purchase (subject to customary adjustments) is expected to be funded with cash on hand and the company's revolving credit facility; Avalex generated approximately $40 million of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 with ~25% adjusted EBITDA margins and the deal was expected to close in Mercury's fiscal Q2 2022 (subject to HSR clearance).

Trive Capital Recapitalizes AEVEX Aerospace with $160M Unitranche from Bain Capital Credit

July 15, 2019

Aerospace & Defense

Trive Capital completed a recapitalization of its portfolio company AEVEX Aerospace, with Bain Capital Credit arranging a $160 million senior secured unitranche facility to support the transaction. AEVEX, headquartered in Solana Beach, California, provides airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) services across aircraft services, flight operations support and intelligence solutions; William Blair served as exclusive financial advisor to AEVEX.