AeroVironment (AVAV.US) spends $4.1 billion to acquire American private defense contractor BlueHalo.

AeroVironment (AVAV.US) has reached an agreement with BlueHalo to acquire BlueHalo in an all-stock transaction worth approximately $4.1 billion. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025. AeroVironment expects the transaction to increase its revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and Non-GAAP earnings per share in the first full fiscal year following the completion of the transaction. Data shows that AeroVironment is involved in the design, development, production, support, and operation of unmanned aircraft systems and electric transportation solutions. BlueHalo is a privately held U.S. defense and intelligence contractor. Over the years, the company has been focused on providing leading products and solutions in areas such as space superiority, space technology, directed energy/counter unmanned aircraft systems (c-UAS), autonomous advanced RF (RF), networking, and signal intelligence (SIGINT). BlueHalo's revenue in 2024 is expected to exceed $900 million, and the company has nearly $600 million in cash reserves as well as several opportunities and record projects worth billions of dollars. In addition, BlueHalo had revenues of approximately $886 million in 2023, $759 million in 2022, and $660 million in 2021. As of the time of writing, AeroVironment's pre-market trading on Tuesday saw a nearly 5% drop in U.S. stocks.