Redwire Corporation, a leader in space infrastructure for the next generation space economy, has officially signed a definitive agreement to acquire Edge Autonomy, a leading provider of field-proven uncrewed airborne system (UAS) technology.
Under the agreed terms, Redwire will acquire Edge Autonomy for a sum of $925 million, and it will do so on a debt free, cash free basis and subject to customary working capital, cash and debt adjustments. More on that would reveal how the merger consideration is expected to be paid using $150 million in cash and $775 million in shares of Redwire common stock, based on the volume-weighted average trading price on the NYSE for the 30 trading days ending on January 17, 2025 of $15.07.
In essence, this acquisition will empower Redwire to become a global leader in multi-domain autonomous technology, and therefore, expand its portfolio of mission-critical space platforms to include combat-proven autonomous airborne platforms.
From a financial standpoint, the transaction will aid Redwire’s revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and Free Cash Flow. As a result, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, Redwire, as a combined company, is forecasting full year, revenues of $535 million – $605 million a nd Adjusted EBITDA of $70 million – $105 million with positive Free Cash Flow.
“The combination of Redwire and Edge Autonomy creates a uniquely positioned space and defense company focused on two of the fastest growing trends in defense technology,” said Peter Cannito, Chairman and CEO of Redwire. “As space and airborne platforms converge into an integrated network of autonomous, collaborative systems, Redwire will be poised to provide end-to-end solutions for multi-domain operations from the surface of the earth to the surface of the moon and beyond.”
Talk about what makes Edge Autonomy an ideal candidate for acquisition, the answer resides in its ability to leverage three decades of experience in developing uncrewed and autonomous technology systems. You see, the company is understood to be vertically integrated through proven capabilities, extensive mission heritage, and strong relationships with the likes of U.S. Department of Defense, Special Operations Forces, and allied governments.
Another detail worth a mention here is rooted in Edge Autonomy’s fleet of UAS technology, which is actually optimized for long endurance and long range reconnaissance missions. Not just that, it can also be deployed quickly for time-critical operations.
Beyond that, the company has 265,000 square feet of manufacturing and production capabilities across the U.S. and Europe, Enhancing the company’s prospects even further are its financials that include revenues of $222 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $72 million for the last twelve months ended September 30, 2024.
As for what can be expected from the combination of Redwire and Edge Autonomy, it will likely create a transformative, multi-domain, scaled and profitable defense tech company, focused on the convergence of integrated autonomous, AI-enabled multi-domain operations for defense and national security.
The acquisition in question also delivers a rather interesting follow-up to Redwire recently adding two space platforms to its technology portfolio i.e. Thresher and Mako. These platforms are specifically made for software defined, AI-enabled, autonomous operations in low Earth orbit, medium Earth orbit, and geostationary orbit. To complement that, the company is now in the process of developing Very Low Earth Orbit spacecraft or “orbital drones” that bridge the gap between airborne and space-based systems.
“We are extremely excited to join forces with Redwire and merge two industry leaders in advanced multi-domain technologies,” said Steve Adlich, CEO of Edge Autonomy. “Both companies are committed to technology innovation, reliability and satisfying customer demand, and we see significant synergies within our collective capabilities that will positively impact both businesses and enable continued growth.”