AeroVironment has acquired Empirical Systems Aerospace, or ESAero, a producer of unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility platforms, or AAM, in a deal valued at approximately $200 million.
What Does ESAero Bring to AeroVironment?
AeroVironment said Monday ESAero brings extensive engineering capabilities in electric and hybrid propulsion, rapid prototyping and certified UAS and AAM manufacturing. The deal also includes major facilities, along with integration and testing locations in San Luis Obispo, California, supporting design, propulsion system development, aircraft modifications, sub-scale demonstrators and full-scale aircraft production.
Wahid Nawabi, chairman, president and CEO of AeroVironment, said ESAero’s ability to transition designs into production will help the company move from concept development to manufacturing more efficiently.
“ESAero’s capabilities are vital to addressing the urgent demands of a fast-growing defense tech market, where emerging needs are driving next-generation innovation and product development,” added the 2026 Wash100 Award winner.
How Will ESAero Integrate?
ESAero will function as a subsidiary within AeroVironment’s precision strike and defense systems group, reporting to the loitering munition systems business unit. Andrew Gibson, president, CEO and co-founder of ESAero, said the transaction provides an opportunity to expand the reach and impact of the company’s work.
“By combining ESAero’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities with AV’s unmatched expertise in autonomous systems, we are positioned to advance disruptive aerospace technologies and deliver real, timely value for our customers,” Gibson said.
What Are the Transaction Details?
The agreement includes approximately $160 million in stock and the remainder in cash, subject to adjustments. AeroVironment expects the deal to be accretive to adjusted EBITDA within the first year.
The acquisition follows AV’s $4.1 billion purchase of BlueHalo in May 2025, marking its second major transaction in less than a year.
