AeroVironment [AVAV] on Tuesday said it has agreed to acquire Tomahawk Robotics
in a $120 million deal that would give it a multi-domain command and control platform for unmanned systems.
Tomahawk offers the Kinesis artificial intelligence-enhanced command and control system, an open architecture platform that can operate robotic systems operating in different domains with a single controller. AeroVironment said it will combine its Crysalis command and control operating system with Kinesis.
AeroVironment provides a family of Group 1, 2, and 3 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), loitering munitions, and remote-controlled unmanned ground vehicles for explosive ordnance disposal, hazardous materials mission, CBRNE, and law enforcement operations.
Tomahawk’s Kinesis platform is already integrated with AeroVironment’s small UAS. AeroVironment is based in Arlington, Va., and Tomahawk in Florida.
“The acquisition of Tomahawk Robotics will not only provide AeroVironment with strong new members of our team, but a quality brand and products that are widely respected in the industry,” Wahid Nawabi, chairman and CEO of AeroVironment, said in a statement.
Nawabi said that AeroVironment plans to retain Tomahawk’s platform agnostic approach to the market and introduce the company’s solutions to AeroVironment’s network of more than 55 allied nations. He also said Tomahawk’s workforce and facilities will remain in Florida.
AeroVironment acquired Tomahawk with a mix of cash and stock. The acquisition is expected to close in September or October.
Brad Truesdell, CEO of Tomahawk Robotics, said in a statement that once the deal closes, his company’s solutions will be able to reach more customers and “the broader robotics community, better enabling warfighters across the globe.” Truesdell will take a leadership position in AeroVironment when the acquisition is completed.
Tomahawk’s Kinesis platform includes mission planning, indications and warnings, autonomy, target recognition, and can be used for training and simulation. The platform integrates unmanned systems, sensors, and third-party software onto a single controller.
No financial advisers were used on the deal.