Trive-Backed Karman Missile & Space Systems Acquires Systima Technologies

Trive Capital Forms Karman by Partnering with Aerospace Engineering Corp. and AMRO Fabricating

January 26, 2021

Aerospace & Defense

Dallas-based private equity firm Trive Capital has partnered with the senior leadership teams of Aerospace Engineering Corp. (AEC) and AMRO Fabricating Corporation (AMRO) to form Karman Missile & Space Systems, a new platform supplier for space, missile and hypersonic markets. The combined company operates multiple facilities in greater Los Angeles with additional presence in Washington, D.C. and Huntsville, Alabama; the leadership teams of both legacy businesses remain equity holders and executives in Karman.

Karman Missile & Space Systems Acquires TMX Engineering

September 21, 2021

Aerospace & Defense

Karman Missile & Space Systems, a Trive Capital-backed platform, has acquired TMX Engineering, a Los Angeles-based precision machining firm. The deal expands Karman's capacity and capabilities in complex precision machining for space, missile, and hypersonic systems; TMX's senior leadership will remain as equity holders.

Karman Missile & Space Systems Acquires AAE Aerospace

February 9, 2021

Aerospace & Defense

Karman Missile & Space Systems, a Trive Capital portfolio company, has acquired AAE Aerospace, a manufacturer of high-temperature composites used in missile, interceptor, and space propulsion subsystems. The deal expands Karman's end-to-end production capabilities for critical propulsion components and keeps AAE's senior leadership as equity holders; Trive served as the sponsor and advisors included Lazard Middle Market and D.A. Davidson.

Karman Space & Defense (Trive-backed) Acquires MG Resin Family of Technologies

June 15, 2022

Aerospace & Defense

Karman Space & Defense, backed by private equity firm Trive Capital, acquired the MG Resin family of ultra-high temperature resin technologies from Cornerstone Research Group (CRG). The deal expands Karman's vertically integrated composite and carbon/carbon manufacturing capabilities for aerospace, defense and hypersonic applications and aims to accelerate commercialization of high-temp materials for OEMs in those supply chains.

Karman Space & Defense Acquires Five Axis Industries

October 28, 2025

Aerospace & Defense

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.

Trive Capital Invests in Systems Innovation Engineering

February 16, 2022

Aerospace & Defense

Dallas-based private equity firm Trive Capital has made a strategic investment in Systems Innovation Engineering (SIE), a Mullica Hill, New Jersey–based defense systems engineering and design firm. The capital will support SIE’s continued growth and capability expansion across radar/RF, directed energy, counter-UAS systems and supply-chain/logistics support for defense customers.