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12 Jan 26. Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited (“EOS” or the “Company”) (ASX: EOS) today announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the MARSS group business (“MARSS”). MARSS is a Europe-based provider of command and control (“C2”) systems, which are critical for effectively countering drones.

MARSS’ proprietary C2 technology, NiDAR, provides advanced AI-enabled decision making and sensor-effector orchestration to rapidly counter asymmetric drone threats.

By combining its best-in-class effector and sensor capabilities with MARSS’ C2 technology, EOS is transforming from a component supplier to an integrated counter-drone systems provider, with strong software and AI capabilities.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Established in 2006, MARSS is a defence and security technology provider focused on developing and marketing sensor-fusion technology and AI-enabled C2 systems primarily for counter-drone use
• The acquisition includes MARSS’ NiDAR C2 technology, sensor-fusion and AI software platform and hardware offering, along with associated customer contracts, intellectual property and personnel
• Creates an integrated, end-to-end solution for countering drones i.e. Detect → Identify → Decide → Defeat – allowing EOS to act as a true counter-drone system provider and to compete for larger, higher-value programs as a Prime Contractor. This includes the delivery and operation of turn-key solutions for the protection of critical infrastructure in the military, homeland security and civil domain, such as airports or power plants
• Expands EOS’ geographic footprint and broadens its end market presence, with scope to leverage MARSS’ defence, homeland security and civil relationships
• Significantly strengthens EOS’ in-house AI/software development capability
• EOS plans to embed the AI-enabled NiDAR technology into its existing remote weapon system product range. It is envisaged that this will create the ability for the systems to form a mesh-network, providing the client’s vehicle fleet hemispherical coverage against drone attacks – a new feature in today’s market.
  • Transaction structured as an asset acquisition, with consideration consisting of an upfront cash payment and an earnout, being additional contingent consideration tied to new MARSS sales: Upfront cash payment of US$36m (~A$54m); plus
  • Acquisition cash consideration, primarily intended to be funded from existing cash reserves (~$107m at 31 Dec 2025), see further details below.
  • Acquisition anticipated to be broadly neutral for earnings and operating cashflow in 2026.
  • Completion expected in 2026, subject to customer, regulator and other approvals

Potential earnout amount of up to €20m for each €100m (or part thereof) of certain new MARSS third party contract orders (up to €500m) secured prior to the end of the earnout period. The earnout payment is capped at €100m (~A$174m), subject to adjustments and is payable in a combination of cash (capped at €20m) and EOS shares. More details are below.

• C2 & NiDAR

C2 refers to “Command and Control” and the means by which military and security forces exercise authority, make decisions, and direct operations in real time. Modern C2 combines physical command structures with a digital systems layer that connects decision-makers to the operational environment. This digital layer integrates data from multiple sensors and platforms—such as radars, cameras, and unmanned systems—into a single operational picture, enabling rapid threat assessment and coordinated tasking of assets.

C2 systems have a range of applications including traditional missile defence and are increasingly needed to defend against drones.

The importance of C2 has increased markedly as the drone threat evolves from isolated systems to coordinated, autonomous, and swarm-based attacks. The speed, scale, and complexity of these threats exceed human capacity to manage manually, making AI-enabled C2 essential for data fusion, threat prioritisation, and effective human decision-making.

Within counter-drone operations, MARSS’ NiDAR platform functions as the central C2 system layer. As distinct from and in addition to EOS’ sensors and effectors, NiDAR integrates multiple systems, correlates threats, and orchestrates coordinated responses across domains, delivering faster detection, decision-making, and action through a single interface. To cope with attack situations with large swarms of drones, the NiDAR system can be configured to operate autonomously.

As threats become increasingly asymmetric and multi-domain, software-defined C2 platforms such as NiDAR are mission-critical capabilities.

• Closing the capability gap caused by the evolving threat environment
• Proven, world class technology
• Moving EOS up the value chain, with stronger tender positioning and cross sell
• Enhanced go-to-market proposition
• Expanded international footprint
• Wider end market access
• Future development opportunities
• COMPELLING STRATEGIC RATIONALE

The MARSS acquisition accelerates EOS’ strategic intent to become a fully integrated counter-drone solution provider and represents a major step towards becoming the worldwide leader in counter-drone systems. EOS’ will be able to offer a broader range of customers both individual components and integrated, modular solutions e.g. software-only, hardware-only, or fully integrated systems across fixed, mobile, and expeditionary environments.

Key benefits of the MARSS acquisition are anticipated to include:

The drone threat continues to outpace existing countermeasures, necessitating advanced AI-enabled C2 solutions such as NiDAR.

MARSS brings a proven, in-market, installed C2 and sensor fusion capability, together with associated intellectual property and people, accelerating EOS’ offerings across detection, decision support and engagement. The acquisition delivers tried and tested counter-drone C2 and autonomy capability without a risky multi-year internal development program.

Positions EOS as an integrator of counter-drone and autonomous systems, combining sensors, C2, AI, and effectors, rather than simply a component supplier.

EOS’ reputation, program delivery discipline and financial strength are anticipated to significantly improve conversion of MARSS’ opportunities into contracted wins.

Expands EOS’ European operations, including France and the United Kingdom, adds delivery, sustainment and customer facing capability, and consolidates EOS’ position in the Middle East, supporting priority defence market growth and AUKUS aligned opportunities.

Increases EOS’ capability to serve non-military markets, including homeland security and civil market demand for counter-drone solutions.

Addition of a significant number of technology and product development experts will allow EOS to be at the forefront of advances in counter-drone systems as the threat environment continues to evolve.

 

08 Jan 26. Collaboration.Ai, an AI-powered software and services company, today announced it has acquired innosabi GmbH, a global innovation management company. The acquisition brings together two organizations aligned around a shared belief: that connecting the right people, ideas, and expertise is essential to navigating complexity and turning knowledge into real-world results.

“The full potential of human connections is what helps teams solve the world’s hardest problems.” —Brennan Townley, CEO of Collaboration.Ai

The acquisition expands Collaboration.Ai’s ability to enable organizations across the full innovation lifecycle, from identifying emerging needs and gathering insights to prioritizing ideas and driving execution in fast-moving, demanding environments. innosabi’s globally proven platform, trusted by more than 300 organizations and 1.2 m active users across over 30 countries, adds scale and maturity to Collaboration.Ai’s portfolio, including its NetworkOS and CrowdVector platforms.

“Collaboration.Ai was founded on the belief that the full potential of human connections is what helps teams solve the world’s hardest problems,” said Brennan Townley, CEO of Collaboration.Ai. “Acquiring innosabi allows us to bring complementary capabilities together on a shared foundation so organizations can work with greater clarity and confidence when stakes are high and conditions are constantly evolving.”

innosabi GmbH is recognized for its modular innovation management platform, which spans insight discovery, idea development, collaboration, evaluation, and delivery. Its products, including innosabi Idea, Community, and Partner, enable teams to incorporate internal and external perspectives, manage change, and sustain progress over time.

As part of Collaboration.Ai, innosabi will continue to serve its global customer base while benefiting from expanded agentic AI capabilities, graph-based intelligence, and a more unified approach to innovation and collaboration. Together, the combined offering will allow organizations to operate in a more cohesive environment designed for performance under real-world constraints.

“This next chapter builds on innosabi’s mission to help organizations continuously improve how they innovate and grow,” said Jan Fischer, Managing Director at innosabi. “By joining Collaboration.Ai, we’re deepening an already successful partnership and moving toward a more connected platform that guides teams from early insight through execution.”

The acquisition reflects Collaboration.Ai’s continued investment in agentic AI-powered software and services designed to support critical programs across government and industry, while maintaining continuity, reliability, and trust for customers and partners.

About Collaboration.Ai

Collaboration.Ai is an AI-powered software and services company that unites people, technology, and purpose to accelerate breakthroughs that transform industries, empower communities, and create a more sustainable future. Through platforms including NetworkOS and CrowdVector, the company helps organizations harness untapped networks and knowledge, align efforts around shared goals, and turn ideas into coordinated action that delivers real-world results. Learn more at collaboration.ai.

About innosabi

innosabi is a global innovation management platform that has helped organizations embed innovation as a repeatable practice for more than 15 years, driving the improvement and evolution of products and services. Through its platforms, the company supports more than 300 organizations worldwide with a user-first approach and dedicated customer support, enabling innovation to integrate seamlessly into everyday workflows. Learn more at innosabi.com. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

 

07 Jan 26. RTX (NYSE: RTX) has received notice of an unsolicited “mini-tender” offer made by Tutanota LLC (Tutanota) to RTX shareholders to purchase up to 500,000 shares of RTX common stock at a purchase price of $130.00 per share. This offer is for shares representing less than 0.04 percent of the outstanding shares of RTX common stock.  This offer price is approximately 24.02% below the closing price of RTX common stock on December 5, 2025 ($171.10), the last trading day before the date of the offer, and is approximately 31.72% below the closing price of RTX common stock on January 6, 2026 ($190.40), the day prior to this release. The offer price of $130.00 per share is conditioned on, among other things, the closing price per share of RTX common stock exceeding $130.00 per share on the last trading day before the offer expires. This means that unless this condition is waived by Tutanota, RTX shareholders who tender their shares in the offer will sell their shares at a below-market price.

RTX recommends that shareholders do not tender their shares in response to Tutanota’s offer because the offer is at a price below the market value for shares of RTX common stock (as of the last trading day prior to the offer) and is subject to numerous additional conditions including Tutanota’s ability to obtain financing. RTX shareholders who have already tendered their shares are advised they may withdraw them by following the procedures for withdrawal described in the Tutanota offer documents prior to the expiration of the offer, which is currently scheduled for 5:00 p.m. EST on January 12, 2026, unless extended or earlier terminated.

RTX does not endorse Tutanota’s unsolicited mini-tender offer and is not affiliated or associated in any way with Tutanota, its mini-tender offer, or the offer documentation.

Tutanota has previously made similar mini-tender offers for shares of other companies. Mini-tender offers seek to acquire less than 5 percent of a company’s shares outstanding, thereby avoiding many disclosure and procedural requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that apply to offers for more than 5 percent of a company’s shares outstanding. As a result, mini-tender offers do not provide investors with the same level of protections as provided by larger tender offers under U.S. securities laws. The SEC has cautioned investors about mini-tender offers, noting that some bidders make mini-tender offers at below-market prices, “hoping that they will catch investors off guard if the investors do not compare the offer price to the current market price.” The SEC’s guidance to investors on mini-tender offers is available at https://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/minitend.htm. RTX urges investors to obtain current market quotations for their shares, to consult with their broker or financial advisor and to exercise caution with respect to Tutanota’s offer. RTX encourages brokers and dealers, as well as other market participants, to review the SEC’s letter regarding broker-dealer mini-tender offer dissemination and disclosures at https://www.sec.gov/divisions/marketreg/minitenders/sia072401.htm.  RTX requests that a copy of this release be included with all distributions of materials relating to Tutanota’s mini-tender offer related to shares of RTX common stock. (Source: PR Newswire)

 

07 Jan 26. Arxis, a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management (“Arcline”), today announced its acquisition of Micro-Tronics, Inc. (“Micro-Tronics” or “MTI”), a leading provider of engineered, mission-critical elastomeric and metallic components for commercial aerospace and defense applications. Founded in 1968, Micro-Tronics is recognized as a trusted engineering and manufacturing partner for complex elastomeric and metallic component solutions where performance and reliability are paramount. The company produces highly engineered components drawing on decades of materials science, a deeply embedded quality culture, long-standing customer relationships, and an extensive track record of supporting leading aerospace programs. Micro-Tronics’ manufacturing expertise ranges from producing thousands of intricate elastomeric diaphragm seals and assemblies to high-precision electrical discharge machined components used in the most demanding aerospace and defense applications.

“MTI brings highly complementary engineering capabilities and deep technical expertise to the Arxis family,” said Ross Sealfon, President, Arxis Mechanical Components Segment. “Their long track record supporting demanding commercial aerospace and defense applications strengthens our ability to deliver integrated, high-performance solutions. We are excited to welcome the Micro-Tronics team to Arxis.”

Micro-Tronics Co-CEOs Charlie and Johnny Marusiak added, “Arxis shares our commitment to engineering excellence, quality, and long-term customer partnership. Joining Arxis provides additional scale and resources to continue investing in our people and capabilities while better supporting our customers’ most critical applications.”

About Micro-Tronics, Inc.

Micro-Tronics, Inc. is a precision engineered products company specializing in complex elastomeric and mechanical components and assemblies for aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Founded in 1968, MTI is known for its engineering expertise, rigorous quality standards, and reliable execution. For more information, visit www.micro-tronics.com.

About Arxis

Arxis is a leading designer and manufacturer of proprietary, mission-critical electronic and mechanical components for aerospace and defense, medical technology, and specialized industrial markets. Leveraging significant intellectual property and world-class engineering and operational capabilities, Arxis designs and delivers innovative solutions that address our customers’ most complex performance needs. Learn more at www.arxis.com.

About Arcline Investment Management

Arcline Investment Management is a growth-oriented private equity firm with over $20 bn in assets under management. Arcline seeks to build the next generation of Industrial Compounders—market-leading, non-disruptible industrial platforms designed to consistently grow earnings over decades. For more information, visit www.arcline.com. (Source: PR Newswire)

 

07 Jan 26. NexTech Solutions (NTS), a mission-driven provider of edge-focused software and solutions for the defense, intelligence and homeland security sectors, announces the acquisition of Vidterra, a leading developer of edge deployed video distribution software. The acquisition strengthens NTS’s ability to deliver timely, reliable insight from complex ISR and sensor environments, particularly in operational settings where speed, accuracy, and resilience are critical. Vidterra is recognized for developing software that simplifies how video and sensor data are processed, fused, and delivered in challenging environments, including disconnected and low-SWaP scenarios. Its solutions are operationally proven and currently support high-tempo missions across multiple domains.

“Vidterra represents the cutting edge of digital ISR,” said Joseph Paull, CEO of NTS. “Modern missions demand clarity, speed, and confidence in the systems supporting the operator.  This acquisition accelerates our ability to deliver integrated, mission-ready capabilities at the edge.”

As part of NTS, the Vidterra team will remain intact and continue advancing its technology while working closely with NTS engineers and operators. Existing customers can expect continuity of support along with expanded opportunities as capabilities are integrated across the NTS portfolio.

“Vidterra has always focused on solving practical problems for operators working in demanding environments,” said Dillon Bussert, President and Founder of Vidterra. “Joining NTS allows us to scale that work while staying focused on what matters most to our customers.”

About NTS

NTS is a mission-focused technology integrator delivering edge-native communications, infrastructure, and software solutions to defense, intelligence, and homeland security customers.  NTS provides solutions to ENABLE, ACTIVATE, and AUTOMATE technology, empowering our customers at the tactical edge. For over a decade, NTS helps customers operate with confidence – anywhere the mission goes.

About Vidterra

Vidterra develops software that simplifies how video and sensor data are delivered and acted upon in mission-critical environments. Their software solutions distribute live video from any source, automating end-to-end video workflows, to transform video distribution into a seamless and efficient experience. Vidterra solutions support real-time ISR operations and are designed to perform where reliability, speed, and usability matter most. (Source: PR Newswire)

 

08 Jan 26. Trump threatens cut in Raytheon’s government contracts over stock buybacks. U.S. President Donald Trump criticized defense contractor Raytheon (RTX.N) on Wednesday for what he called the company’s slow response to the demands of the U.S. military and threatened to cut its government contracts if the firm did not restrict stock buybacks.

“Also, if Raytheon wants further business with the United States Government, under no circumstances will they be allowed to do any additional Stock Buybacks, where they have spent Tens of Bns of Dollars, until they are able to get their act together,” Trump wrote on social media.

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“I have been informed by the Department of War that Defense Contractor, Raytheon, has been the least responsive to the needs of the Department of War.” (Source: Reuters)

 

08 Jan 26. Trump blocks defense company payouts until arms production speeds up.

• Summary
• Defense shares fall after Trump’s comments on dividends and buybacks
• Trump criticizes defense firms for slow production and maintenance
• Trump calls for executive pay limits and new production plants

U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to block defense contractors like RTX from paying dividends or buying back shares until they speed up weapons production, a rare presidential strike at Wall Street norms that sent defense stocks lower and signaled sweeping changes for America’s military-industrial complex. Trump and the Pentagon have criticized the defense industry for what they say are high costs and slow production and have promised dramatic changes to make production of war equipment more nimble.

“After years of misplaced priorities, traditional defense contractors have been incentivized to prioritize investor returns over the Nation’s warfighters,” Trump said in his executive order, released by the White House on Wednesday.

Trump expressed similar sentiment earlier on Wednesday afternoon on social media. Defense stocks fell after his posts, reversing recent gains following the use of U.S. military equipment to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife who were seized in Venezuela over the weekend and brought to New York.

Shares of defense giant Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) fell 4.8%, Northrop Grumman (NOC.N), slid 5.5%, and General Dynamics (GD.N), ofell 3.6% during afternoon trading in New York. In one of his Truth Social posts, Trump wrote: “I have been informed by the Department of War that Defense Contractor, Raytheon, has been the least responsive to the needs of the Department of War.” Raytheon is a unit of RTX (RTX.N). Raytheon makes the Patriot missile defense system which has been heavily used in Ukraine, as well as Tomahawk missiles for militaries around the world. An RTX spokesperson did not immediately comment on Trump’s post which sent shares down 2% before recovering and climbing 2.5% in after-hours trading.

EXECUTIVE ORDER SAYS HEGSETH TO IDENTIFY UNDERPERFORMERS

Trump’s executive order said that effective immediately, defense contractors were not permitted to pay dividends or buy back stock “until such time as they are able to produce a superior product, on time and on budget.” The order said that within 30 days, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth will identify defense contractors who are underperforming on their contracts and have engaged in stock buybacks. The Pentagon chief would then engage with those firms, which would have a chance to submit a remediation plan for review by the Pentagon within a 15-day period after the notification, the order added. If a remediation plan is considered insufficient by the Pentagon chief, steps could be taken by the government to secure remedies, including through enforcement actions, the order said. Within two months, Hegseth will ensure that any future defense contracts contain provisions prohibiting any stock buyback if the company is underperforming its contract.

“Additionally, the Secretary shall ensure such future contracts stipulate that executive incentive compensation for contractors will not be tied to short-term financial metrics, such as free cash flow or earnings per share driven by stock buybacks, and instead will be linked to on-time delivery,” the order said.

The order directed the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to consider issuing regulations to implement the proposed ban.

TRUMP DECRIES EXECUTIVE PAY PACKAGES

Trump also called executive pay packages in the defense industry “exorbitant and unjustifiable,” and said they should be limited to $5m, far less than what many executives earn. The CEOs of the top defense companies typically make more than $20 m a year through a combination of cash payments and stock grants. Trump did not clarify on social media exactly how the components would be capped but his order said that the Pentagon chief will take steps upon determining underperformance by a contractor to ensure that the government caps executive base salaries at current levels. The order also said it required that executive incentive compensation under future contracts be tied to on-time delivery, increased production, and operating improvements.

“From this moment forward, these Executives must build NEW and MODERN Production Plants, both for delivering and maintaining this important Equipment, and for building the latest Models of future Military Equipment,” Trump posted without naming specific companies or executives.

Share buybacks are common among defense firms, and several pay a dividend. Lockheed (LMT.N)in October, for example, raised its dividend for the 23rd year in a row, to $3.45 per share. At the same time, it authorized the purchase of up to $2bn of its shares, raising the total amount promised for repurchases to $9.1bn.

Industry groups had been on high alert about the proposal.

Lockheed’s F-35 fighter jet, one of the most expensive U.S. defense programs, has been plagued by rising costs and delays. Many big defense programs take much longer to deliver a product than initially promised and at a far higher price. The $140bn Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program that will replace aging Minuteman III missiles, designed and managed by Northrop Grumman (NOC.N), will be and 81% over budget, the U.S. military said last year. The biggest defense firms, including Lockheed, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics (GD.N) and Boeing (BA.N) did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Source: Reuters)

 

06 Jan 26. AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, reported today financial results for the fiscal year 2026 second quarter ended November 30, 2025.

SECOND QUARTER FISCAL YEAR 2026 HIGHLIGHTS

(As compared to Q2 FY2025)

• Sales of $795m; increased 16%
• GAAP diluted EPS of $0.90
• Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.18; increased 31%
• GAAP Net income of $35m
• Adjusted EBITDA of $97m; increased 23%
• Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 12.1% from 11.4%

“AAR delivered another outstanding quarter, achieving solid results throughout all segments of our business and advancing our strategic objectives through our recent acquisitions,” stated John M. Holmes, AAR’s Chairman, President and CEO. “Total sales were up 16%, including organic growth of 12%, led by our Parts Supply business with sales up 29%. Within Parts Supply, new parts Distribution had another exceptional quarter with organic sales growth of 32% as we continue to capture market share through our exclusive Distribution model. We also delivered growth in our Repair & Engineering segment as we continue to drive efficiency in our hangars and additional volume to our component repair facilities. Finally, we saw another quarter of increased sales to government customers, which were up 23%.

“Our 16% sales growth translated to 23% adjusted EBITDA growth as we expanded adjusted margins from 11.4% to 12.1%. Over time we expect margins to continue to improve as we increase efficiencies in our operations, realize synergies from recent acquisitions, and shift our sales mix to higher margin offerings, such as new parts Distribution and Trax.

“During the quarter, we closed on two strategic acquisitions: ADI in Parts Supply and HAECO Americas in Repair & Engineering. The ADI acquisition builds upon our differentiated new parts Distribution activities, adds new OEM relationships through its production-facing distribution channel, and expands our range of product offerings. This acquisition creates a new growth vector for Distribution, which has been our fastest growing activity over the last 4 years.

“The HAECO Americas acquisition extends our leadership position as the most sought-after airframe heavy maintenance provider in North America. In conjunction with the acquisition, we secured agreements with key customers totaling approximately $850m, effectively selling out the acquired capacity for the next several years. We plan to apply our successful operating model to improve both the operational and financial performance of the acquired facilities and expect to rationalize our overall airframe heavy maintenance footprint to drive further margin improvement.

“Our balance sheet remains strong with net leverage at 2.49x giving us capacity to fund our growth through organic and inorganic investments.”

Holmes concluded, “We are executing on our strategy to build on our position as the leading independent provider of aviation aftermarket parts, repairs, and software. We have been achieving above market growth in new parts Distribution, capturing market share in airframe heavy maintenance and component repair while increasing the efficiency across our operations to improve margins. Trax continues to win in the marketplace and is being used by over 100 airlines globally to manage and procure the types of parts and repairs that we offer. This value chain is unique in the aviation industry, and we expect the momentum we are seeing to drive continued growth and margin expansion.”

NEW BUSINESS

• Secured $850m in airframe heavy maintenance contracts with several customers over a multi-year period in connection with the HAECO Americas acquisition.
• AAR’s subsidiary Airinmar was awarded a new multi-year agreement with Malaysia Airlines for aircraft warranty management and value engineering services.
• Signed agreement with Eaton to become an authorized service center for commercial aerospace customers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
• Trax and Aeroxchange signed an agreement to enhance and expand their range of system integrations.
• Subsequent to the end of the quarter, renewed key exclusive new parts Distribution contracts with Collins Aerospace and Arkwin Industries, a unit of Transdigm.
• Also subsequent to quarter-end, Trax was selected by Thai Airways to provide its eMRO enterprise resource planning system, suite of eMobility apps, and cloud hosting solution.

PORTFOLIO UPDATES

• Acquired ADI, a leading distributor of components and assemblies, strengthening AAR’s position in new parts Distribution for $138m.
• Acquired HAECO Americas, a leading provider of airframe heavy maintenance, expanding AAR’s airframe heavy maintenance footprint and driving growth in its Repair & Engineering business for $77m.
• Announced agreement to purchase Aircraft Reconfig Technologies, a leading aircraft interiors engineering company, for $35m with the acquisition expected to close in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

SECOND QUARTER FISCAL YEAR 2026 RESULTS

Consolidated second quarter sales increased 16% to $795.3m, compared to $686.1m in the same quarter last year. Sales to commercial customers increased 13%, or $66.2m, primarily due to double-digit growth across new parts Distribution within the Company’s Parts Supply segment. Sales to government customers increased 23% over the same period last year, primarily due to increased order volume for new parts Distribution activities. Sales to commercial customers were 71% of consolidated sales, compared to 73% in the prior year quarter.

The Company reported net income of $34.6m, or $0.90 per diluted share. For the second quarter of the prior year, the Company reported a net loss of $30.6m, or $0.87 per diluted share. The prior year quarter included after-tax charges of $57.1m associated with the FCPA settlement and related costs. Adjusted diluted earnings per share in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 were $1.18 compared to $0.90 in the second quarter of the prior year.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $88.7m in the current quarter, compared to $133.1m in the prior year quarter. The prior year quarter included $59.2m for the settlement of FCPA allegations and related costs.  Acquisition, amortization, and integration expenses were $10.9 m in the quarter, compared to $4.4m in the prior year quarter.

Operating margins were 8.4% in the quarter, compared to (0.3)% in the prior year quarter. Adjusted operating margin increased to 10.2% in the current year quarter from 9.2% in the prior year quarter, primarily as a result of increased volume and profitability in the Company’s new parts Distribution activities.

Net interest expense for the quarter was $18.6m, compared to $18.8m last year. Average diluted share count increased from 35.2m shares in the prior year quarter to 38.1 m shares in the current year quarter primarily due to the Company’s equity offering completed during the quarter.

Cash flow provided by operating activities was $13.6m during the current quarter, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $22.0m in the prior year quarter. As of November 30, 2025, net debt was $884.4m and net leverage was 2.49x.

 

07 Jan 26. Czech defence firm CSG nears IPO decision that would boost M&A war chest.

• Summary
• Potential IPO would likely be in Amsterdam, CSG’s Strnad says
• BNP, Jefferies, JPM, UniCredit are global coordinators
• Equity could be used to fund future acquisitions, Strnad says
• CSG competes with European giants like Rheinmetall

Czech arms and ammunition firm Czechoslovak Group (CSG) has discussed with banks floating around 15% of its shares in a potential initial public offering, with a decision yet to be reached, owner and Chair Michal Strnad told Reuters.

Strnad said being publicly traded would offer CSG the option to finance with its shares future acquisitions in a sector that has witnessed a slew of deals.

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He added that banks were recommending listing around 15% of the company.

“It depends on many factors but I’m listening to them carefully and forming my own opinion,” he told Reuters at CSG’s headquarters in Prague. The proposed size of the potential flotation has not previously been reported.

CSG is Europe’s fastest-growing defence firm in terms of annual revenue growth in a global arms market worth $2.7 trillion in 2024, according to the latest data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

DEFENCE STOCKS IN DEMAND

The sector’s fast growth and increased NATO spending in the wake of Russia’s war in Ukraine have prompted other defence companies including Franco-German tank maker KNDS to pursue IPOs to tap into strong investor interest in defence stocks.

BNP Paribas, Jefferies, JPMorgan, and UniCredit were the global coordinators for CSG’s potential IPO, Strnad said, confirming earlier source-based reporting from Bloomberg.

The decision whether to go ahead with the IPO, likely set for Amsterdam, could be in the near future, he said.

RUBBING SHOULDERS WITH EUROPEAN DEFENCE GIANTS

Strnad declined to comment on how much the company could raise in any IPO or at what valuation, but cited German defence giant Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE) as a guide.

“Look at our results, compare them with our natural European peer, which you know who it is, and add a discount because it is an IPO, you don’t have the German army (as customer), and this will get you somewhere,” Strnad said.

“But of course, we don’t expect a valuation like Rheinmetall’s.”

If CSG was valued using Rheinmetall as a guide, it could have an enterprise value between 34 bn and 50 bn euros, before applying any discount, according to Reuters calculations based on LSEG data. Valued close to the sector average, CSG would be worth around 22 bn euros, the calculations show.

Rheinmetall’s enterprise value of 21 times next 12-month earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), according to LSEG data, is well above the industry median of 13.7.

Bloomberg has previously reported a targeted valuation of 30 bn euros for CSG, citing sources. (Source: Reuters)

 

06 Jan 26. IFS, the leading provider of Industrial AI software, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Softeon, a Gartner Visionary and leading provider of cloud-native Warehouse Management, Warehouse Execution, and Distributed Order Management solutions. This strategic move extends IFS Industrial AI capabilities into the £6.3+bn warehouse management systems market, creating an integrated platform that connects manufacturing operations seamlessly with intelligent warehouse execution. The acquisition represents a natural evolution of IFS manufacturing industry capabilities. As global enterprises face mounting pressure to modernise supply chains, rebuild ageing infrastructure, and navigate persistent labour shortages, the connection between production and distribution has never been more critical. Softeon’s sophisticated Warehouse Management Solutions (WMS) and Warehouse Execution Solutions (WES) capabilities are essential for IFS customers in complex industries where warehouse operations must match the precision and intelligence of their manufacturing processes. Softeon customers include world-class organisations such as Sears Homes Services, Sony DADC, and DB Schenker Logistics. IFS and Softeon are positioned to challenge the traditional WMS segment by applying Industrial AI directly into warehouse operations. Where legacy systems rely on manual processes and paper-based workflows, the combined solution will embed agentic AI and physical AI orchestration into every aspect of warehouse management, from fulfillment and labour optimisation to real-time yard visibility and automation integration.

Industrial AI Comes to the Warehouse

The acquisition builds directly on the IFS vision unveiled at Industrial X Unleashed: AI succeeds in complex industries not through generic productivity tools, but through contextual, industry-specific intelligence, embedded where work happens. Softeon’s cloud-native platform provides the ideal foundation for IFS.ai to transform warehouse operations with the same approach that is already multiplying workforce capacity across field service, asset management, and manufacturing. The combined solution will leverage IFS partnerships with leading robotics companies including Boston Dynamics and 1X Technologies to create fully autonomous warehouse environments. Physical AI in the form of humanoid robots and autonomous mobile robots will work alongside IFS Loops Digital Workers to orchestrate complex warehouse workflows. All within a single integrated platform designed for mission-critical industrial operations. Softeon’s native integrations with robotics, voice systems, and automation technologies, combined with IFS.ai’s agentic capabilities, unlock significant opportunities for warehouse intelligence. IFS Loops Digital Workers will process orders and manage inventory around the clock. Robotic systems will handle physical tasks and capture operational data. Human workers will be elevated to higher-value judgment calls and exception management, multiplying total warehouse capacity exactly when labour shortages have reached crisis levels.

A New Market Challenger Emerges

The WMS segment, growing at 12% annually, is primed for disruption. Traditional vendors have struggled to integrate modern AI and robotics capabilities into legacy architectures. The combination of Softeon’s cloud-native platform with IFS’s Industrial AI and robotics partnerships creates a fundamentally different offering—one where warehouse intelligence isn’t bolted on, but architected from the ground up for autonomous, intelligent operations at enterprise scale. For IFS customers across aerospace and defence, energy, engineering and construction, manufacturing, and transport, the acquisition delivers immediate value. Sophisticated global enterprises require warehouse capabilities that match the intricacy of their production systems. Softeon’s proven WMS and WES solutions, now enhanced with IFS.ai, provide exactly that—enabling end-to-end supply chain orchestration where manufacturing, warehouse execution, and field service operations work as one intelligent system.

Executive Perspectives

Mark Moffat, CEO of IFS, commented: “The warehouse is the next frontier for Industrial AI. As we work with increasingly complex global manufacturers and asset-intensive enterprises, warehouse operations must become as intelligent and autonomous as the production lines they support. Softeon brings proven warehouse expertise to IFS, and we deliver next-generation AI, robotics orchestration, and deep industrial domain knowledge. Together, we’re redefining what’s possible when you apply Industrial AI where it matters most: on the warehouse floor, in real-time, with measurable impact on throughput, accuracy, and workforce capacity.”

Jim Hoefflin, CEO of Softeon, said: “Joining forces with IFS represents an extraordinary opportunity to accelerate our innovation in warehouse management. Our customers have been asking for advanced AI capabilities, seamless integration with robotics, and stronger connection between warehouse operations and broader supply chain processes. IFS brings exactly that, along with unmatched experience serving the demanding, mission-critical industries where precision and reliability are non-negotiable. This partnership allows us to deliver the next generation of warehouse intelligence while maintaining the deep domain expertise and customer focus that has made Softeon a trusted partner to leading enterprises worldwide.”

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.

 

05 Jan 26. 4iG Space And Defence Acquires Majority Stake In RÁBA Automotive Holding. International defence partnerships and new markets can open a growth path for the Hungarian heavy vehicle manufacturer

• RÁBA Automotive Holding Plc. (“Rába”) majority stake acquisition is successfully completed with all conditions of the transaction fulfilled. 4iG Space and Defence Plc. (“4iG S&D”) acquired 74.34% stake in the listed company.
• Two former shareholders, N7 Holding Ltd. and Széchenyi István University Foundation, sold their entire stakes in Rába to 4iG SDT EGY Zrt., a special legal body established by 4iG S&D for the purpose of this acquisition.
• Through the indirect acquisition, 4iG S&D strengthens its defence-industry portfolio with advanced land-based mobility capabilities, completing the integrated competence base across land, air, and space domains.
• Following the change in ownership, renewed strategic vision of Rába is focused on the development of value-added defence-industry products and services, as well as on the expansion of related export activities.
• Through strategic agreements concluded in recent months with Czechoslovak Group (“CSG”), TATRA TRUCKS, and Lockheed Martin, 4iG S&D established strong technology and market framework that enables Rába to enter new markets, while also supporting the growth of 4iG Group’s defence business segment.

The acquisition represents another milestone in the evolution of 4iG S&D defence-industry capabilities. The objective is to expand the Land Systems division of 4iG Space and Defence holding with modern ground mobility capabilities, creating integrated and competitive defence-industry built on land, air, and space technologies. The substantial infrastructure of Rába, decades of its engineering expertise and defence-industry experience, together with the highly skilled workforce of more than 1,200, provide stable and reliable foundation for the implementation of 4iG S&D long-term strategy. The transaction is driven by value creation objectives on a long term. In the future, Rába continues to operate as an integral part of the 4iG Space and Defence industry ecosystem, while maintaining its capital market presence, operational independence, and industrial identity. In parallel with the closing of the acquisition, 4iG S&D started a series of complementary partnerships aimed at opening new export markets for both Rába and 4iG Group defence business, as well as expanding component production, vehicle assembly and complex vehicle-integration related to military and special-purpose applications. As a result of these partnerships, product, and service portfolio of Rába is expected to expand, directly supporting international market presence of both Rába and the Group’s defence-industry operations. These initiatives create market, technological and business opportunities, significantly enhancing the overall growth potential of 4iG Group. Furthermore and contributing to the sustainable improvement of its profitability and income-generating capacity in the long term. The growth and market-entry strategy is reinforced by the planned cooperation with global defence player Czechoslovak Group (“CSG”), by which CSG can acquire indirect minority stake in Rába, subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions following the transaction. As one of the largest privately owned defence companies in the region, CSG professional expertise, technological background and international network support renewal and international expansion of Rába, while strengthening its national and regional market position. Another key pillar of the strategic framework is the commercial agreement between 4iG S&D and TATRA TRUCKS a.s. by 4iG S&D acquired exclusive distribution rights in Hungary for the sales of TATRA military and special-purpose vehicles and related services. The parties are also assessing the potential for component manufacturing, vehicle assembly, and production, as well as joint development activities in Hungary, leveraging Rába’s manufacturing capacities. TATRA, world-renowned for its heavy-duty vehicles designed for extreme terrain, is one of the oldest and most recognised commercial-vehicle manufacturers of the world. Its vehicles and innovations play significant role in defence, security, disaster-control and other special government applications, and the company holds a central position within CSG’s defence portfolio. Rába defence-industry role is also strengthened by the agreement concluded with Lockheed Martin, which enables the integration of HIMARS launcher systems associated with long-range rocket artillery solutions in Hungary. The development of deployment and mobility capabilities on military truck platforms represent a new, international competence for Rába, enhancing the company’s position in the market for complex, high-technology defence-industry solutions.

4iG S&D’s long-term objective is to establish a manufacturing and development centre in Hungary, building on more than one hundred years of experience of Rába, existing production capacities and engineering expertise, and capable of developing and manufacturing innovative defence products and solutions. This objective is reinforced by the cooperation between 4iG S&D and Nurol Makina, which, based on the Hungarian distribution rights for the Gidran vehicle family and the previously established industrial and manufacturing cooperation between Rába and the Turkish company, supports the coordinated implementation of related activities across the value chain. Following the completion of the transaction, Rába continues its operations with a stable ownership structure, clearly defined strategic directions and an expanding international partner network, laying the foundation for the company’s long-term development and sustainable value creation.

4iG Space and Defence Plc.

4iG Space and Defence Plc. is the space and defence-industry holding company of the 4iG Group, developing innovative dual-use technologies for the space, defence, and security sectors. Its activities are structured around five business divisions: Space, Aero, Land Systems, Weapons & Ammunition, and Cyber and Defence Digitalisation. The Space division covers satellite design, manufacturing, and operations. In the defence-technology domain, 4iG S&D develops unmanned aerial systems and counter-UAS solutions, land platforms, weapons, and ammunition manufacturing solutions, as well as advanced cyber and digitalisation technologies. Its systems contribute to the development of NATO-compliant capabilities and to strengthening regional security. www.4igsdt.hu

RÁBA Automotive Holding Plc.

Founded in 1896, RÁBA Automotive Holding Plc. is a publicly listed company on the Budapest Stock Exchange, with indirect majority state ownership. The company develops, manufactures, and supplies axles and axle components for commercial vehicles, agricultural tractors, and earth-moving machinery, as well as components for commercial and passenger vehicles, with significant exports to the European Union, Japan, and the United States. The Hungarian Defence Forces have been using RÁBA vehicles and systems for decades, and in recent years the company has further strengthened its role in the domestic defence industry. www.raba.hu

 

07 Jan 26. Karman Space & Defense Expands into High-Priority Maritime Defense Market with Agreement to Acquire Seemann Composites and Materials Sciences, Leaders in Advanced Composite Systems for Submarine, UUV/USV and Strategic Naval Surface Platforms. Karman’s strategy is to deliver advanced systems for next generation propulsion and shielding applications, serving the country’s highest priority national security interests from deep sea to deep space. Through integrated design, IP protected products and vertical integration, Karman is designed for agility and speed, delivering better technology for the most challenging environments. The acquisitions of Seemann Composites and Material Sciences significantly advance this strategy and align Karman’s business with core national security priorities

• Seemann Composites, LLC (“Seemann”) and Materials Sciences LLC (“MSC”) are rapidly growing providers of “bow-to-stern” composite systems, with more than 90 years of combined heritage in the design and manufacturing of proprietary solutions for existing and next-generation naval programs
• The transaction significantly expands Karman’s exposure to the DOW’s highest priority naval programs, including submarine, USV/UUV and tactical surface vessels, which provides accelerated long-term growth and visibility to drive shareholder value
• Seemann and MSC’s product portfolio is a compelling complement to Karman, with a focus on owned-IP protected solutions for sonar, acoustic and signal mitigation; subsea and surface propulsion; and missile and amphibious strategic launch
• Building on Karman’s prior acquisitions of MG Resin and MTI, Seemann and MSC significantly deepen Karman’s advanced materials IP portfolio and add a talented material science team focused on next-gen materials and resin system design, which can be leveraged across all the Company’s end-markets
• Seemann and MSC will add unique production capabilities, particularly in maritime and hypersonics, including advanced resin infusion, automated fiber placement AFP, fabric weaving, fatigue tests and 3D printing, that strategically align with Karman’s concept-through-production approach to rapidly deliver technologies to the warfighter
• The acquisitions are immediately accretive to Karman in 2026 across major financial metrics, including revenue growth, funded backlog, EBITDA, earnings per share, and cash flow; concurrently, management affirms its prior fiscal year 2025 revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance issued on November 6, 2025
• Karman management will host an investor conference call and audio webcast on January 21, 2026, at 1:30 PST/4:30 EST to discuss the transaction and the associated increase to the Company’s fiscal year 2026 outlook

Karman Space & Defense Expands into Strategic Maritime Defense Market with Acquisition of Seemann Composites and Material Sciences; Supports Strategy of Delivering Advanced Systems for Next Gen Propulsion and Shielding Applications Supporting Highest Priority National Security Interests – from Deep Sea to Deep Space

Karman Space & Defense (“Karman”, “Karman Holdings, Inc.” or “the Company”) (NYSE: KRMN), a leader in the rapid design, development and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War’s core mission priorities, today announced its entry into a definitive agreement to acquire Seemann Composites and MSC, leaders in specialty maritime defense technologies. Seemann and MSC’s core technologies for submarines and related amphibious platforms include (i) sonar, acoustic and signal mitigation solutions, (ii) subsea and surface propulsion systems, and (iii) missile and amphibious strategic launch products. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals with Karman providing a total consideration of $220m, consisting of $210m in cash and approximately $10m in Karman common shares.

Karman’s strategy is to deliver advanced systems for next generation propulsion and shielding applications, serving the country’s highest priority national security interests, from deep sea to deep space.

Seemann and MSC, based in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Horsham, Pennsylvania, respectively, have a combined 95 years in business and deliver mission-critical technologies and systems to the U.S. Navy, building on decades of proven performance across multiple high-priority U.S. Department of War (“DOW”) programs. The Seemann/MSC team designs, tests, qualifies and manufactures integrated advanced materials and acoustic coatings, along with propulsion systems, that enhance system-level performance for submarines, surface vessels and autonomous maritime platforms. With the engineering talent, demonstrated performance and scaled manufacturing capabilities required to take a product from concept to production and sustainment, Seemann and MSC strengthen Karman’s vertical integrated platform, particularly in advanced materials, to better serve customers across its end markets.

“Entering the strategic maritime defense market, which is a critical element of near-peer nation state deterrence, has been on our strategic roadmap for years,” said Tony Koblinski, Karman chief executive officer. “The acquisitions of Seemann and MSC represent the natural expansion of the Karman platform into a compelling new market that is poised for decades of sustained growth. With a proven track record of performance, deep expertise in advanced materials, and differentiated manufacturing capabilities, these innovative companies are a natural fit with Karman.”

“We look forward to leveraging the combined strength of the Karman, Seemann and MSC teams to continue delivering advanced technologies to the U.S. Navy and to other customers,” Koblinski added.

“We’ve known and respected the Karman team for nearly a decade, and we are thrilled to start this new chapter of our history as part of Karman,” said Sid Charbonnet, Seemann and MSC chief executive officer. “Seemann and MSC deliver specific capabilities in materials, design, testing and manufacturing, which will further enhance Karman’s impressive product lines and ability to rapidly and effectively address the near-peer nation state threats of today and tomorrow. The alignment of culture and capabilities with Karman provides a perfect fit for our team and will add value to our customers and to Karman’s shareholders.”

Seemann and MSC are pioneers in the advanced composites market, with unique engineering resources, proprietary materials and resin formulations and approximately 240,000 square feet of manufacturing space. These capabilities and capacity enable Seemann and MSC to meet the accelerating, multi-decade demand for new submarines, fleet sustainment and the development of emerging unmanned platforms through multiple programs of record, including Columbia, Virginia and Seawolf class submarines.

“As the second generation of family leadership at Seemann, I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished,” commented Will Seemann, Seemann and MSC chief financial officer. “None of this would have been possible without the strong foundation my father, Bill Seemann, established in 1987. Based on his vision for the company to become a critical supplier to the maritime industrial base, Seemann has built a strong, growing position in this high priority defense sector, which will add value and diversity to the Karman strategy. We are excited to continue our legacy of excellence through innovation as part of the Karman team.”

Karman expects the acquisition to expand Karman’s access to multi-decade, high priority, funded U.S. Navy programs and to be immediately accretive in 2026 to revenue growth, funded backlog, EBITDA, earnings per share and cash flow. Karman further anticipates the acquisition will maintain its position at the upper echelon of Adjusted EBITDA margins among defense technology companies. Concurrent with this transaction, management affirms its prior fiscal year 2025 revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance issued on November 6, 2025.

Upon completion of the transaction, key members of the Seemann and MSC executive management teams will remain in leadership positions. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of Karman’s fiscal year 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. At close, Seemann and MSC will operate as wholly owned subsidiaries of Karman. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

 

05 Jan 26. Cambium, a pioneer in advanced materials for defense, aerospace, and other high-performance sectors, announced a $100m Series B financing led by 8VC, with participation from MVP Ventures, Lockheed Martin Ventures, GSBackers, Veteran Ventures Capital, J17 Ventures, Vanderbilt University, Alumni Ventures, Gaingels, Inevitable Ventures, JACS Capital, Jackson Moses, and other individuals and family offices. This funding will accelerate both Cambium’s product pipeline and materials manufacturing in the U.S. and Europe, supporting customers across aerospace, defense, energy, marine, motorsport, and other high-performance sectors.

Cambium is transforming how advanced materials are discovered and how they’re scaled.

Cambium fuses AI, chemical informatics, and high-performance computing to design entirely new monomers and polymers—hundreds of times faster than traditional methods. These materials are then manufactured, tested, and scaled in-house on proprietary and aerospace qualified assets to massively speed development feedback loops. With its recent acquisition of SHD, Cambium has one of the largest aerospace and industrial qualified prepreg, film and adhesives material production capacities in the world with sites in the U.S., the U.K., and Europe supported by resilient supply chains in each location. Cambium offers its customers: (a) rapid turnaround of prototype and small-batch runs—measured in days, not months—and (b) the ability to scale instantly across identical manufacturing sites in multiple locations for true supply-chain security.

Cambium’s development platform delivers multiple material verticals, from advanced composites to optical protection systems. Cambium’s recent commercial launches include ultra-high-temperature polymers and carbon-carbon Thermal Protection Systems for defense, aerospace, energy, and other advanced applications. For example, ApexShield 1000™ dramatically increases the speed of carbon-carbon part fabrication—for uses ranging from solid rocket motors (SRMs) to hypersonic glide bodies. Other products in late-stage testing include machining-ready composite billets for SRMs and metal-to-composite adhesives for air and space vehicle structures designed to excel in both routine and extreme conditions. Behind this is a pipeline of additional products, from optical and directed energy protection to high-temperature foams, each building off a common platform of polymer innovation and standard manufacturing processes.

With contracts underway with defense partners across key Programs of Record — each with dual-use applications — Cambium is rapidly emerging as the go-to advanced-materials partner for innovators across land, sea, air, and space.

“Our Series B round is a huge validation of Cambium’s model for reindustrializing critical materials manufacturing for our defense and industrial bases,” said Simon Waddington, Cambium’s Co-founder and CEO. “With this capital, we’re scaling a distributed, secure manufacturing network across the U.S., the U.K., and Europe—creating a Western advanced-materials platform designed for the speed, scale, and resilience our partners demand.”

According to Joe Lonsdale, Managing Partner, 8VC, “Frontier technologies require frontier materials. Cambium was built in the USA to design and manufacture advanced materials for the future. Their array of product lines is powering many top aerospace and defense innovators and driving fast, profitable growth. We’re privileged to renew our support for this critically important company.”

About Cambium

Cambium is redefining how advanced materials are discovered, designed, and manufactured. The company develops next-generation advanced materials for defense dual-use applications that enhance performance and survivability across land, air, sea, and space. Cambium’s proprietary materials platform molecularly re-engineers polymers from first principles, combining AI-driven molecular design with state-of-the-art chemistry, materials science, and biology. The result is exceptional performance, manufacturability, and speed from concept to production. Manufacturing is carried out through a secure, flexible, and scalable domestic supply chain, enabling defense and commercial innovators to move from prototype to full-scale production in record time. Please visit cambium-usa.com. (Source: PR Newswire)

 

05 Jan 26. Rapid Drone is making its official debut as a specialized aerial intelligence and drone services provider, not a drone manufacturer. Entering the market at a moment of accelerating adoption and rising expectations for safer, smarter field operations, the company designs, operates, and manages mission-ready drone programs that deliver dependable, real-time intelligence for public safety agencies and critical industries.

Rapid Drone Launches as Demand for Real-Time Aerial Intelligence Surges

“Better information changes outcomes. It saves time, avoids costly mistakes, and for first responders, it can save lives,” said David Rietz, Chief Drone Officer at Rapid Drone. “We built Rapid Drone to deliver aerial intelligence services that teams can trust in high-stakes environments.”

Rapid Drone’s leadership and technical teams bring together more than $2 bn in real estate development experience, over 15 years of national public-safety foundation leadership, and two decades of hands-on UAV engineering. Supporting that expertise is a board of advisors drawn from law enforcement and retired military leadership, providing operational insight shaped by real-world emergency response, infrastructure protection, and mission-critical decision-making. Rather than producing hardware, Rapid Drone deploys and manages a fleet of USA Blue Certified aircraft, handling everything from flight operations and data capture to analysis and integration. The Company’s initial offerings align with increasing demand from both public and private sectors, particularly as stakeholders transition from intermittent drone usage to sustained, intelligence-oriented operational models. The public-safety drone market alone is expected to more than triple over the next decade as departments invest in faster situational awareness and safer response models.

Key capabilities include:

• DFR (Drones as First Responders). Real-time aerial support for police and fire agencies, delivering live intelligence during active incidents.
• Autonomous security patrols. Continuous, hands-free perimeter monitoring for corporate, industrial, and critical infrastructure sites.
• Precision mapping. Survey-grade photogrammetry and LiDAR producing orthomosaics, terrain models, and detailed 3D reconstructions.
• Infrastructure inspections. Thermal and high-resolution imaging for utilities, bridges, towers, pipelines, and transportation assets.
• Agricultural intelligence. RGB, thermal, and multispectral analytics used to identify crop stress, disease, and irrigation inefficiencies.

“First responders and critical industries are being asked to do more with fewer resources, and technology has to rise to meet that moment,” said Co-Founder Debbie Steinhauer. “Our focus is on making advanced aerial intelligence operationally realistic, dependable, and accessible for the teams protecting communities and essential infrastructure.”

Over the next several years, Rapid Drone plans to expand its DFR programs, strengthen partnerships with police and fire departments nationwide, and scale remote-operations capabilities across AEC, agriculture, and infrastructure. The company’s long-term vision centers on integrating drone intelligence into everyday workflows, helping organizations transition from isolated deployments to continuous, data-driven operations.

To learn more, users can visit rapid-drone.com.

About Rapid Drone

Rapid Drone is an aerial intelligence and drone services provider delivering mission-ready solutions for first responders, AEC professionals, agricultural operations, and critical-infrastructure teams. Built on decades of experience in construction, public-safety leadership, and UAV engineering, the company designs and manages end-to-end drone programs using a fleet of USA Blue Certified aircraft to provide real-time intelligence, survey-grade mapping, and autonomous aerial operations. For more information, users can visit rapid-drone.com.

(Source: PR Newswire)

 

05 Jan 26. L3Harris nears space propulsion asset stake sale to AE Industrial, sources say.

• Summary
• Deal aligns with AE Industrial’s space technology consolidation strategy
• L3Harris retains 40% stake, AE Industrial expected to pay over $500 m, sources say
• L3Harris to invest proceeds in missile production, pay down debt, sources say

L3Harris Technologies (LHX.N) is nearing a deal to sell a 60% stake in a portfolio of space and propulsion businesses to private equity firm AE Industrial Partners as the large defense company sheds some NASA business lines to sharpen focus on national security, three people familiar with the matter said.

The deal, which could be announced as soon as Monday, represents one of the larger space industry transactions in recent months as private equity firms increasingly consolidate capabilities across the commercial and defense space sectors amid growing demand for satellite systems and space-based defense systems. The defense contractor will retain a 40% stake in the portfolio of businesses which has an enterprise value of $845m, and AE Industrial will pay over $500m for its 60% stake, two of the people said, asking not to be named because the deal is private. The deal could provide AE Industrial with opportunities in space exploration and the Pentagon’s emerging Golden Dome initiative, a multi-layered space-based missile defense architecture, as the space propulsion assets could benefit from increased satellite deployment. The space propulsion business being sold includes the RL-10 second-stage rocket engine, a workhorse motor used to position assets in space currently being used aboard the Vulcan rocket used in Boeing (BA.N), and Lockheed Martin’s (LMT.N) United Launch Alliance joint venture. (Source: Reuters)

 

02 Jan 26.  Arlington Capital Partners (“Arlington”), a Washington, D.C.-area private investment firm specializing in government-regulated industries, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Tex-Tech Industries (“Tex-Tech” or the “Company”) to Michelin (Euronext Paris: ML). Headquartered in Kernersville, North Carolina, Tex-Tech is a leading developer and manufacturer of proprietary, highly-engineered solutions serving aerospace, space & defense and specialty industrial end markets. Its products are purpose-built to withstand extreme environments and support applications where performance is critical and the cost of failure is high. Simultaneously with the sale, FMI Industries Inc. (“FMI”), which is comprised of two divisions of Tex-Tech, the recently acquired Fiber Materials, Inc. out of Spirit AeroSystems and the Engineered Composites division out of SGL Carbon, will be spun out and established as an independent Arlington portfolio company. FMI is a leader in reinforced composites, with a focus on Carbon / Carbon, Rayon / Carbon and related composites for applications in the defense, space and aerospace end markets. FMI will be led by Scott Burkhart, former CEO of Tex-Tech Industries.

Peter Manos, a Managing Partner at Arlington, said, “During our partnership, Tex-Tech underwent a significant transformation through sizable research and development in next generation materials and coatings, with a focus on high-growth end markets and high-cost-of-failure applications. Michelin’s global footprint makes it an excellent home for Tex-Tech to expand the penetration of its innovative products to Europe and the rest of the world. This transaction exemplifies Arlington’s ability to accelerate growth through deep expertise in regulated industries and to build businesses of strategic value.”

Justin Barnett, President of Tex-Tech Industries, said, “Arlington has been a true strategic partner and together we have positioned the Company for continued success. It has been personally rewarding growing the Company’s top line at a double-digit rate over the last four years by being at the forefront of innovating advanced technical materials like our cutting-edge Thermal Protection Systems for space rocket insulation. Michelin shares our R&D-focused philosophy and will help us further cement our industry-leading technical leadership.”

Gordon Auduong, a Managing Director at Arlington, added, “Tex-Tech’s focus on innovation and manufacturing excellence, coupled with an unparalleled commitment to customer success through its differentiated development and manufacturing capabilities, have enabled its transformation into the unique business that exists today. Additionally, Arlington is excited to continue its partnership with Scott and the FMI team as we continue to build FMI and support our nation as we undergo modernization of strategically important defense platforms.”

Scott Burkhart, Chief Executive Officer of FMI, said, “I look forward to building upon Tex-Tech’s success and carrying its momentum forward as we build FMI into the leading provider of innovative composite materials for our demanding defense, space and aerospace customers.”

Closing of the transaction is expected in 1H 2026 and is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

William Blair and Harris Williams are serving as financial advisors to Tex-Tech, and Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP and Morrison Foerster LLP are serving as legal advisors to Tex-Tech and Arlington. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and DLA Piper LLP are serving as legal advisors to Michelin.

About Tex-Tech Industries, Inc.

Tex-Tech Industries is a global supplier of materials science-based solutions for demanding end use markets where performance and reliability are counted upon. With global headquarters located in Kernersville, North Carolina (USA) and manufacturing, R&D and sales sites located throughout North America and Europe, Tex-Tech is able to service our partners across the globe in key markets such as aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial. www.textechindustries.com (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

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Ultra-high precision, modularity and speed to defeat dynamic targets

OpenWorks is a provider of modular autonomous vision systems that deliver ultra-high performance real-time detection, identification and tracking of highly dynamic aerial threats at long range.

Our specialist capability lies in our dynamic positioners, EO/IR optical units, approach to sensor fusion and common interface that enables the integration of third-party detectors, classifiers, interceptors and effectors. Artificial intelligence modules work seamlessly with primary detectors and C2 to provide comprehensive detection, identification, tracking and slewing-to-cue against complex backgrounds and foregrounds.

OpenWorks is internationally and operationally proven across C-UAS and Air Defence.

Vision Pace

Designed to enhance dynamic multi-threat engagement, Vision Pace offers microradian precision targeting to kinetic defeat chains, marking a step-change for layered air defence. The development is intended to provide capability to expeditionary force protection, GBAD, SHORAD, M-SHORAD across land and naval domains.

Vision Flex

Vision Flex provides the highest performance surveillance, tracking and classification capability available, for use on static, mobile and un-crewed systems. Vision Flex cameras are highly configurable and can be used with built-in twin-AI modules of third Party classifiers and trackers.

Vision Flex is easy to integrate through standard interfaces and has a range of plug-and-play optical modules and upgrades to allow it to be configured easily to suit each mission or site.

Vision Guard

Vision Guard is a highly configurable, autonomous, portable and deployable platform that provides automated alerts with AI detection and classification.

It can be configured with combinations of active and/or passive sensors to suit the mission. Detections and alerts are streamed out to a handheld tablet or other systems via the standard interface, SAPIENT, Asterisk etc.

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