AeroVironment acquires BlueHalo as part of a 4.1 billion dollar deal. $AVAV (-1,71 %)

BlueHalo has a 1.4 billion dollar contract to overhaul the aging military satellite communications ground infrastructure.

WASHINGTON - AeroVironment, a defense contractor specializing in unmanned aerial vehicles, announced Nov. 19 that it plans to acquire BlueHalo, also a defense contractor, in a deal valued at about $4.1 billion.

AeroVironment has a small portfolio of civil space technology, so the BlueHalo deal represents a groundbreaking entry into satellite communications and space-based defense technologies. In 2023, AeroVironment was awarded a $10 million contract from NASA to design and build the flight systems for the Mars Sample Recovery Helicopter. The company was also involved in the design of the Ingenuity helicopter carried by the Perseverance Mars rover to demonstrate the feasibility of robotic flight for planetary exploration.

The acquisition of BlueHalo, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to regulatory approval and the approval of AeroVironment's shareholders.

Both AeroVironment and BlueHalo are headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

BlueHalo, currently owned by private equity firm Arlington Capital Partners, brings expertise in space-based communications, energy guidance, electronic warfare and missile defense technology. A key advantage is the company's $1.4 billion contract with the US Space Force to modernize its satellite communications infrastructure.

The contract provides for the replacement of obsolete parabolic dishes with modern electronically steered phased array antennas that enable the simultaneous tracking of up to 20 satellites - a significant improvement over current systems that can only monitor one satellite at a time.

Following the acquisition, Arlington Capital Partners will retain a significant ownership interest in the combined company.

https://spacenews.com/aerovironment-to-acquire-bluehalo-in-4-1-billion-deal/

https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/drone-maker-aerovironment-buy-bluehalo-41-bln-deal-2024-11-19/

Why AeroVironment shares are rising so sharply today

$AVAV (-1,71 %)

The U.S. Army has ordered AeroVironment ( AVAV 11.89% ) to continue working to fulfill a $990 million contract despite ongoing protests over the award. Investors are cheering the move, sending AeroVironment shares up 11% at 2:30 p.m. ET.

https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/09/23/why-aerovironment-shares-are-flying-higher-today/

What's going on, can anyone say anything about it?

AeroVironment faces GAO protests over Army contract.

$AVAV (-1,71 %)

AeroVironment Inc (NASDAQ: AVAV ), a manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems, is facing a protest over a major contract from the U.S. Department of Defense.

The protest, filed with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), challenges the Army's decision to award AeroVironment an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract with a ceiling value of $990 million for its switchblade systems as a sole-source supplier.

The contract in question was awarded on August 27, 2024, and the GAO's protest resulted in a stop work order issued by the U.S. Army. This stop work order is specific to the disputed contract and does not affect any other AeroVironment contracts or obligations, including those related to loitering munitions systems.

The GAO is expected to issue a decision on the protest by December 16, 2024. Until then, work related to the Switchblade systems contract will remain suspended. The Switchblade is a tactical missile system designed for use by armed forces and is a key product in AeroVironment's portfolio.

AeroVironment reported a strong first quarter for fiscal year 2025 and set a new revenue record of $189.5 million, a 24% increase over the same period last year. This growth was primarily due to the company's Loitering Munition Systems segment, which reported a 68% increase in revenue.

Despite a decline in sales compared to the first quarter of the previous year, the defense contractor was able to secure a significant IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity) contract worth USD 1 billion with the US Army.

https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/aerovironment-faces-gao-protest-over-army-contract-93CH-3617995

Repurchase from the drone and robot pioneer.

Thus an increase in the sector

Aerospace & Defense

The drone takes off!

$AVAV (-1,71 %)

AeroVironment's third quarter results: revenue growth, EPS increase, "increased global demand" and more

https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/03/37468637/aerovironment-q3-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-increased-global-demand-and-more

Hi Community,

I have read through the reports and wanted to hear your opinion. Should I buy it again or should I leave it alone? Generally I think it is a future topic anyway (5-10Y). When the topic of unmanned aviation becomes more important. What do you think?