The government shutdown, now the second-longest in United States history, dominated much of the news cycle this month. On Thursday, the United States Senate recessed after failing to advance legislation aimed at paying essential workers, including military personnel and immigration enforcement personnel. Workers are now expected to miss their first whole paychecks.
However, even as lawmakers have remained at an impasse for much of October, the month has seen the way cleared for some significant mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the aerospace and defense sector. M&A activity levels have remained strong this year, and a significant driver has been the acquisition of specific technologies, particularly in artificial intelligence, big data, and cybersecurity.
Anduril Industries AcquireS AIRS
Autonomous systems developer Anduril Industries announced that it had acquired American Infrared Solutions (AIRS), a U.S.-based leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance cooled infrared cameras and components. According to Anduril, this acquisition will further integrate AIRS’s advanced hardware into Anduril’s portfolio of sensing systems, expanding the range and capability of technologies available to customers.
AIRS’ products, notably its Iris long-range optical sensor and the Wisp high-performance 360-degree infrared camera, will join Anduril’s existing family of imaging products. AIRS will continue operations from its facilities in New Hampshire.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
SAIC Looked For an Edge From SilverEdge Government Solutions
The start of this month saw Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), a mission integrator supporting defense, space, intelligence, and civilian agencies, entering into a definitive agreement to acquire SilverEdge Government Solutions from private equity firm Godspeed Capital for $205 million in cash.
SilverEdge is a provider of mission-driven technology solutions and products, and the acquisition was seen to advance SAIC’s strategy of bringing mission-focused, IP-based solutions and commercial products to our customers.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026.
Sigma Defense Completed Acquisition of Aries Defense
CJADC2, C5ISR, and DevSecOps solutions developer Sigma Defense Systems acquired the tactical video and sensor integration firm Aries Defense. The acquisition will strengthen Sigma Defense’s CJADC2 capabilities at the tactical edge, the company announced, integrating Aries Defense’s mission-proven edge ISR products with Sigma’s Olympus ecosystem.
Aries Defense focused on capturing and distributing UAV and unattended sensor data for real-time situational awareness, and it will employ a DevSecOps-enabled platform for software development, orchestration, and multi-domain data fusion.
“With the acquisition of Aries Defense, we are furthering Sigma Defense’s mission to deliver resilient, software-defined CJADC2 capabilities to the warfighter,” said Matt Jones, CEO of Sigma Defense. “Aries brings a field-proven portfolio of tactical ISR solutions that complement our Olympus ecosystem, enabling us to deliver real-time situational awareness, interoperability, and decision advantage in the most challenging operational environments.”
SPA’s M&A With Group W
This month, Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA), a global provider of data-driven analytical insights supporting complex national security programs and defense priorities, acquired Group W, a data science and defense analytics company with a core focus on modeling and simulation and wargaming capabilities to the DoD.
Group W, with two decades of experience delivering advanced mission-critical analysis, modeling and simulation, and wargaming capabilities, will enhance SPA’s position as a trusted partner to its defense, intelligence, and homeland security clients.
“SPA has a long history of working with Group W, and today we unite the leading providers and users of widely-used DoD modeling and simulation tools across the system, mission, and campaign levels,” said SPA CEO Rich Sawchak. “We are delighted to have Group W join us as partners in our shared national security mission. The combination of the two firms creates the most robust analytical defense modeling and simulation company serving the global allied national security ecosystem.”
Dataminr Seeks to Connect With ThreatConnect
Manhattan-based threat intelligence firm Dataminr announced this week that it has sought to acquire Arlington, Virginia-based threat intelligence platform provider ThreatConnect for $290 million.
The deal could combine Dataminr’s AI-driven event detection with ThreatConnect’s internal threat management to create a new “Agentic AI-powered” threat intelligence product.
“By uniting our AI platform with the capabilities of ThreatConnect, Dataminr will fuse external public data signals and internal client data to pioneer the first-ever real-time Client-Tailored intelligence,” said Dataminr CEO Ted Bailey.”Existing ThreatConnect customers can expect continued support and development, along with accelerated innovation for the product they rely on today. Over time, both ThreatConnect’s and Dataminr’s Pulse for Cyber Risk customers will be offered enhancements that combine the two products’ capabilities, advancing the next generation of threat intelligence.”
Core4ce Has Forged a Deal With Azimuth
Federal data and cyber operations contractor Core4ce completed its acquisition of Azimuth Corporation, a mission-driven provider of data-based modeling, research and development (R&D), and label support. According to Core4ce, the acquisition will unite Core4ce’s innovation incubator – The Forge – with Azimuth’s Autonomy, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning (AAIM) Lab, which focuses on basic and applied research capabilities for the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.
It will offer enhanced capabilities in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), AI/ML, threat protection, and warfighter support.
“By partnering with Azimuth, we’ll be able to reach a broader range of customers, offer an integrated suite of complementary services, and ensure that the warfighters defending our country have the best possible tools and support,” said Core4ce CEO Mike Morehouse.
FireFly Aerospace Looks to Soar With SciTec
Space and defense contractor FireFly Aerospace entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SciTec, Inc., a leader in advanced national security technologies, which will advance Firefly’s comprehensive space services by adding mission-proven defense software analytics, remote sensing, and multi-phenomenology data expertise. SciTec’s core capabilities, including its missile warning, tracking and defense, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, space domain awareness, and autonomous command and control platforms, will supplement Firefly’s launch, lunar, and in-space services.
“The acquisition of SciTec enhances our ability to support a growing number of defense missions and provides us with a significant operational advantage,” said Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “SciTec’s mission-proven software and big data processing capabilities provide warfighters with rapid, accurate information to enable informed decisions that protect our homeland from emerging threats. These capabilities significantly enhance our ability to deliver integrated, software-defined solutions for critical national security imperatives, particularly Golden Dome.”
Smart Move – V2X Acquired QinetiQ’s United States Intelligence Business
The acquisition of QinetiQ will bring new capabilities and expand V2X’s access to critical national security programs. Approximately 70 professionals with deep expertise in intelligence and cyber operations will now join V2X as part of the acquisition.
“This acquisition enhances our position in the Intelligence Community and strengthens our ability to deliver data-enabled mission solutions across all domains,” said Jeremy C. Wensinger, President and Chief Executive Officer of V2X. “We are pleased to welcome this talented team and look forward to delivering greater value to our customers and shareholders.”
