Area-I

Area-I is an aerospace company dedicated to the development of state-of-the-art Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“UAS”). Since the company’s founding in 2009 by Dr. Nicholas Alley and other key shareholders, Area-I has become the go-to source for Tube-Launched, Tube-Stored aircraft including its flagship ALTIUS platform. The company’s revolutionary Pneumatically Integrated Launch System (“PILS”) enables users to deploy the fixed-wing ALTIUS from the air, sea or ground. ALTIUS, which offers unparalleled endurance and payload capacity in its size class, is utilized by all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Special Operations Command, NASA and select commercial customers.

has been acquired by

Aerospace & Defense Systems

Situation

BlackArch was retained by Area-I to serve as the company’s exclusive financial advisor.

BlackArch’s Customized Solution

The transaction builds upon BlackArch’s significant momentum in high-tech, aerospace and defense and related next-generational industrial firms and is a further example of the firm’s ability to drive superior outcomes for market-leading and founder-led businesses.

Outcome

Area-I was acquired by Anduril Industries. Founder-owned Area-I’s partnership with Anduril will rapidly advance their share of modernizing the defense capabilities of the U.S. and its allies with transformative technologies and a broader portfolio of unmanned aerial systems. Area-I will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Anduril under the Area-I brand.

Industries:

Aerospace & Defense, Industrial Products

Location:

Marietta, GA

Transaction type:

Sellside Advisory