AEVEX Acquires BlackSea Technologies to Build Multi-Domain Autonomous Systems Platform

AEVEX Corp. (NYSE: AVEX) has completed its acquisition of BlackSea Technologies, combining unmanned air, surface and subsea capabilities as the U.S. defense technology company expands its autonomous systems portfolio and domestic manufacturing capacity. BlackSea will operate as AEVEX's Maritime Systems division and will continue to be led by former BlackSea CEO Bob Pudney. The structure is intended to maintain continuity for existing defense and intelligence customers while the companies integrate technologies across air and maritime operations. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. BlackSea is a major U.S. provider of unmanned surface and subsea vessels, with more than 350 unmanned surface vessels delivered and more than 25,000 operational hours. Its systems have supported U.S. Navy 5th Fleet operations and missions including Operation Epic Fury. The acquisition gives AEVEX an established maritime manufacturing operation alongside its existing unmanned aircraft, precision strike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare and contested logistics capabilities. BlackSea's manufacturing complex in Baltimore has deepwater access, two 30-ton bridge cranes and robotic welding capabilities. The facility has production capacity of approximately 40 unmanned surface vessels per month, providing AEVEX with an additional domestic production base for scaling maritime autonomous systems. 'BlackSea's maritime platforms, engineering talent, and mission-focused culture align directly with our own,' AEVEX founder and Executive Chairman Brian Raduenz said. 'Together, our teams represent one of the most capable and operationally relevant multi-domain autonomous systems providers in the defense sector.' AEVEX brings a portfolio of Group I through Group V unmanned aircraft systems, long-range precision strike systems, contested logistics technology and ISR platforms to the combination. The company said it has delivered or secured commitments for more than 10,000 systems through 2026. AEVEX also reported a 114% year-over-year increase in production volume during the second quarter, supported by improvements in supply-chain throughput. Combining those operations with BlackSea creates a platform spanning unmanned aerial systems, unmanned surface vessels and unmanned underwater vehicles. The company will also integrate multi-domain payloads and its CompassX mission autonomy software across the broader portfolio. The strategy is designed to allow AEVEX to support missions involving coordinated air, surface and subsea systems rather than providing autonomous platforms for individual operating domains. It also increases the company's ability to manufacture systems at scale as U.S. and allied defense customers increase their focus on autonomous and attritable platforms. 'With demand for autonomous systems accelerating globally, customers are prioritizing providers who can deliver field-proven capability at scale,' AEVEX CEO Roger Wells said. Wells said BlackSea adds an operationally deployed unmanned surface system, maritime production capacity and established customer relationships to AEVEX's existing air-domain technologies and CompassX autonomy ecosystem. BlackSea will initially maintain its existing organizational structure and operating processes to avoid disruptions to programs serving the U.S. Navy, U.S. Special Operations Command, the intelligence community and allied customers. AEVEX plans a phased integration intended to create additional cross-domain capabilities while maintaining existing program execution. 'Becoming part of AEVEX allows BlackSea to scale our impact across maritime missions while preserving the engineering depth, operational rigor, and customer intimacy that define our culture,' Pudney said. The transaction expands AEVEX at a time when autonomous systems are becoming a larger component of defense procurement and operational planning, particularly for missions requiring distributed platforms, rapid deployment and operations in contested or GPS-denied environments. AEVEX develops autonomous unmanned systems, AI-enabled mission software, ISR and electronic warfare technologies for national security customers. The company operates vertically integrated engineering, prototyping and manufacturing capabilities across multiple U.S. locations. With BlackSea now forming its Maritime Systems division, AEVEX adds scaled surface and subsea capabilities to an existing aerial systems business, giving the combined company manufacturing and operational capabilities across three autonomous domains.