M&A Activity

Voyager Space Holdings intends to acquire Anchorage, Alaska-based ground support hardware developer The Launch Company for an undisclosed sum in a deal that would mark Voyager's first acquisition in the launch services category.

Belcan, a portfolio company of private equity firm AE Industrial Partners, has purchased aerospace and defense software engineering services provider Avista from Transdigm Group for an undisclosed sum.

The American Institutes for Research has acquired consulting firm Kimetrica for an undisclosed sum as part of efforts to expand research and evaluation work in nutrition, food security and other areas. 

Eric Chewning and Frank Coleman, partners at McKinsey & Co., wrote in a commentary published Monday on Defense News that contractors seeking to support the Department of Defense’s evolving mission requirements and create value in a challenging budget environment should take a programmatic approach to mergers and acquisitions. 

McKean Defense Group has agreed to acquire technology company Mikros Systems for $0.13 per share or approximately $4.6M in cash as part of its efforts to add new tech capabilities to its Navy portfolio. "With the added capabilities and skills from the Mikros acquisition, McKean will strengthen our support to the Littoral Combat Systems (LCS) platform and add significant combat systems monitoring and diagnostic analytics to our strategic offerings,” said Joseph Carlini, CEO of McKean Defense.

Santa Clara, California-based Palo Alto Networks (NYSE: PANW) has agreed to acquire attack surface management company Expanse for approximately $800M as part of efforts to expand its cybersecurity offerings.

Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX) has agreed to acquire small satellites provider Blue Canyon Technologies for an undisclosed sum as part of efforts to expand its platforms in support of clients’ space missions. “What makes Blue Canyon Technologies the right fit for our business is its agile, innovative culture and expertise in small satellite systems and technologies,” said Roy Azevedo, president of Raytheon Intelligence and Space and a 2020 Wash100 Award winner.

Christopher Miller, acting secretary of the Department of Defense, has designated senior adviser Anthony Tata as the new senior official performing the duties of DoD undersecretary for policy.

Electromagnetic spectrum technology maker Pacific Defense has acquired Nashua, New Hampshire-based Spear Research for an undisclosed sum as part of the former’s push to expand its military open-systems portfolio.

Avon Rubber has completed its acquisition of Cleveland, Ohio-based helmet manufacturer Team Wendy for $130M to help drive the former’s efforts in the protective equipment industry.