AeroVironment has completed its acquisition of BlueHalo to advance its position as a global defense technology company with integrated capabilities across ground, air, maritime, cyber and space domains.
“We are excited to complete the acquisition of BlueHalo and move forward as an even stronger and more unified AV that provides the scale, talent, and technology needed to lead in the most critical areas of modern defense,” Wahid Nawabi, chairman, president and CEO of AV, said in a statement published Thursday.
“By bringing together two mission-focused organizations, the new AV is built to accelerate innovation, strengthen our customer partnerships, and deliver operational impact across every domain. This is a pivotal step in our journey, and one that positions us to create long-term value for shareholders and strategic advantages for our customers,” added Nawabi.
The completion of the transaction came a month after AeroVironment stockholders approved the acquisition of BlueHalo.
AeroVironment struck a $4.1 billion all-stock deal for BlueHalo in November.
The New AV
The combined entity will operate as AV and will be headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, with more than 3,750 employees.
AV will leverage its network of manufacturing sites, innovation centers and technology laboratories to scale critical capabilities to meet urgent mission requirements.
AV’s Business Segments
AV will have two business segments: autonomous systems and space, cyber and directed energy.
Trace Stevenson, former head of AeroVironment’s uncrewed systems organization, will lead autonomous systems. The business segment covers uncrewed systems, precision strike, one way attack platforms, defense systems, and ground and maritime robotic platforms. MacCready Works, which serves as AV’s cross-domain innovation engine, will operate under this segment.
Trip Ferguson, most recently chief operating officer at BlueHalo, will oversee the space, cyber and directed energy segment, which covers space technologies, cyber, directed energy platforms and mission services.
Expanded Board & Leadership Team
As a result of the transaction, David Wodlinger and Henry Albers of Arlington Capital Partners have joined AV’s board of directors, bringing the total number of board members to 10.
Several seasoned executives from BlueHalo announced their move to AV in separate LinkedIn posts.
Michael Pace, most recently senior vice president of advanced RF systems at BlueHalo, has joined AV as SVP of space RF systems.
Eric Truitt, a technology leader, has been named VP of space strategic solutions at AV.
Phil Pickens, formerly VP of quality at BlueHalo, has joined the defense technology contractor as VP of global quality and mission assurance.
Hai Nguyen, most recently BlueHalo’s VP of procurement, has assumed the role of VP of global supply chain at AV.
Ramona Drucker, formerly VP of talent acquisition at BlueHalo, has taken on the same position at AV.