A&D Weekly News & Transactions - Week 35

Industry Headline News

Rolls-Royce Completes $1B Indiana Investment to Expand U.S. Engine Production for B-52, C-130J, MV-75 and MQ-25 Programs
Aug. 28, 2026 - Rolls-Royce completed a $1 billion, decade-long modernization of its manufacturing, assembly and engine-testing facilities in Indiana, marking its largest U.S. investment. The Indianapolis site produces more defense products than any other Rolls-Royce facility worldwide, employs about 3,500 people and supports thousands of additional supply-chain jobs in Indiana. The expanded facilities will support major military programs, including the B-52, MV-75 Cheyenne, V-22 Osprey, MQ-25 Stingray and C-130J. (Defence Industry Europe)

Lockheed Martin CEO Says U.S. Department of War Needs Long-Term Commercial Contracts to Unlock Private Investment and Accelerate Weapons Output
Aug. 26, 2026 - Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet is urging the U.S. government to adopt long-term, commercially structured defense contracts that give companies enough certainty to invest in production capacity and new technologies before receiving formal orders. He argues that traditional government contracting can discourage efficiency investments because cost savings often lead to lower contract prices, reducing the financial benefit for manufacturers. Lockheed believes new multiyear framework agreements could better reward companies for improving efficiency and increasing production while providing the Pentagon with greater long-term capacity and lower costs. (Defence Indsutry Europe)

SpaceX Plans to Build a $100B Spaceport in Louisiana
Aug. 25, 2026 - SpaceX plans to invest up to $100 billion to build a new Starbase launch facility in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, which will serve as a major launch site for its reusable Starship rocket. The facility is expected to support thousands of launches annually and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs over the next decade. The project supports Elon Musk's broader ambitions to expand Starlink, develop orbital infrastructure, and eventually enable missions to Mars, though SpaceX has previously faced environmental concerns at its Texas Starbase facility. (CNBC)

Boeing Lands $131B Federal Contract for F-15 Work in St. Lewis
Aug. 25, 2026 - Boeing received a federal contract vehicle with a maximum value of $131.23 billion to support F-15 fighter jet production, modernization, upgrades and sustainment work. The contract, known as F-15 Eagle Crest, will support the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard and other military customers, including the development of depot maintenance capabilities. The initial contract period runs through 2031 and could be extended through 2036, with work continuing into 2037. (KSDK)

AV to Invest $100M in New Unified Campus in Southern California
Aug. 24, 2026 - AeroVironment plans to invest $100 million in a new 20-acre campus in Moorpark, California, consolidating five Southern California locations to improve collaboration across research, engineering, prototyping and production. The unified campus is intended to support the company’s future growth and increase its ability to rapidly develop and deliver defense technologies. Construction is expected to begin in fiscal 2028, with the campus becoming fully operational in 2029. (AeroVironment)

Weekly Transaction Review

No.	Parties Involved	Transaction Metrics			Location	Segment
	Target [Parent] Acquirer [Parent]	Price ($M)	Price/ Revenue	Price/ EBITDA	Target	Target
1	Boomslang Aerospace NexTech Solutions [Clairvest Group]	-	-	-	Tampa, FL	Unmanned Vehicles
2	Hylomar Chase Corporation [KKR]	-	-	-	Wigan, United Kingdom	Components & Subsystems
3	Baron Machine Talon Precision	-	-	-	Laconia, NH	Machined & Cast Parts
4	1Aardvark CesiumAstro	-	-	-	Manassas, VA	Government Services, IT Services and Software
5	Commercial Training Solutions business of Acron Technologies [The Jordan Company] FlightSafety International [Berkshire Hathaway]	-	-	-	Sanford, FL	Simulation & Training Systems
6	Vitrek [Branford Castle] Industrial Physics [KKR]	-	-	-	Lockport, IL	Test & Measurement
7	RTL Materials Addtech	-	-	-	Lymington, United Kingdom	Composites
8	Inventory & Warehouse operations of Fly Alliance [Fly Alliance] Altitude Parts [Cove Capital]	-	-	-	Ocoee, FL	Distribution
9	Cloud Wave Technologies AXISCADES	$27.2	2.4x	-	Bengaluru, India	Machined & Cast Parts

No.	Target Descriptions
1	Boomslang is a developer of advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS (C-UAS) technology for private sector and U.S. federal government defense and homeland security markets. The company's portfolio spans detection, defeat, and airborne mission capabilities.
2	Hylomar develops and manufactures high-performance sealants, adhesives, and gasketing compounds for aerospace, defense, automotive, power generation, and industrial applications. The company produces aerospace-qualified sealing products used in aircraft engine applications alongside structural, anaerobic, silicone, and epoxy adhesive technologies.
3	Baron Machine is a precision machining and fabrication company serving aerospace, defense, medical, communications, electronics, industrial, and other mission-critical markets. The company provides CNC machining, precision grinding, metal fabrication, welding, and assembly, with capabilities spanning small precision components through large machinery assemblies exceeding 30 feet in length and 10,000 pounds.
4	1Aardvark is a provider of mission software, algorithms, and systems engineering solutions for private sector and U.S. federal government aerospace and missile defense markets. The company's technology is designed to enable distributed systems to coordinate and execute missions reliably, including in contested or disconnected environments.
5	Acron Technologies' CTS business provides full-flight simulators, flight training devices, pilot training services, aviation academy programs, and driver-training technology. CTS has delivered more than 850 training devices, and has more than 300 fullflight simulators currently operating worldwide.
6	Vitrek is a manufacturer of precision test, measurement, data-acquisition, and instrumentation systems for private sector and U.S. federal government aerospace, defense, electronics, medical, manufacturing, and semiconductor markets.
7	RTL Materials designs and manufactures patented rollable composite structures and deployable mast systems for defense, aerospace, robotics, and industrial applications. The company’s Rolatube technology enables lightweight, compact deployment of antennas, communications equipment, sensors, cameras, and other mission systems.
8	Fly Alliance’s aircraft parts business distributes serviceable aircraft components, engines, and related aftermarket inventory to operators, maintenance providers, and aviation businesses. The operation supports business aviation fleets through aircraft disassembly inventory, warehousing, logistics, and global parts sales.
9	Cloud Wave Technologies provides precision engineering and manufacturing services for aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and other advanced technology applications. The company offers CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, tooling, plastic injection molding, additive manufacturing, and surface treatment capabilities.