WASHINGTON — Redwire announced a deal to acquire drone maker Edge Autonomy for $925 million, a combination that would transform the space infrastructure company into a bigger player in defense technology.
Jacksonville, Florida-based Redwire announced Jan. 20 it will pay $150 million in cash and $775 million in stock for Edge Autonomy, a manufacturer of military uncrewed aircraft systems whose technology has been deployed with Ukrainian forces in their war against Russia.
The deal represents a major pivot by Redwire into the defense technology sector, underscoring the growing focus on autonomous warfare capabilities for military operations.
The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025 pending shareholder and regulatory approvals. Once completed, California-based Edge Autonomy and its subsidiaries will operate as wholly-owned entities under the Redwire umbrella.
Strategic move into defense
Peter Cannito, Redwire’s chairman and CEO, highlighted the strategic significance of the merger during a call with analysts Jan. 21.
He noted that the acquisition positions Redwire to capitalize on one of the hottest areas of the defense market — autonomous warfare driven by drones and artificial intelligence.
By combining Redwire’s expertise in low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites with Edge Autonomy’s advanced drone technology, the company aims to create integrated command-and-control networks that cater to military operators. Cannito emphasized the “multi-domain” potential of this merger, bridging the gap between airborne and space-based systems.
Redwire, founded in 2020 by the private equity firm AE Industrial Partners, has pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy in the space and tech sectors, but this deal stands out due to its size and its strategic expansion into defense. The combined company would generate over $500 million in annual sales. Redwire had revenues of $298 million and Edge Autonomy of $222 million over…
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