AeroVironment Inc. this week announced that it plans to acquire Tomahawk Robotics, a leader in artificial intelligence-enabled robotic control systems for military use. The two companies entered into a definitive agreement under which AeroVironment will acquire 100% of Tomahawk Robotics equity for a total of $120 million to be paid in a mix of cash and stock.
“Tomahawk Robotics’ solutions will accelerate our adoption and implementation of AI and autonomy into AeroVironment platforms,” said Trace Stevenson, senior vice president of unmanned systems at AeroVironment, in a release.
“We’re confident that the combined experience and expertise of our two teams will result in a variety of unmatched unmanned expeditionary vehicles that meet our customers’ emerging needs and exacting standards,” he said.
The companies said the acquisition will enable deeper integration of their technologies, leading to enhanced interoperability and interconnectivity of unmanned systems through a singular platform with similar control features. This will ultimately enable warfighters to operate a variety of connected robotic systems on the battlefield and share information between multiple domains with one common controller, they explained.
Tomahawk provides warfighters 'single pane of glass'
Founded by Brad Truesdell and Matt Summer in 2018, Tomahawk Robotics said it has designed the Kinesis Ecosystem to provide “an unmatched tactical capability” for the warfighter. At its center is the Kinesis AI-enhanced and open architecture, which the company said integrates the network of battle-proven unmanned expeditionary vehicles, sensors, and third-party software “onto a single pane of glass.”
Melbourne, Fla.-based Tomahawk said its innovative Kinesis Ecosystem delivers targeted situational awareness and precision strike capabilities for the human-machine teams across the battlespace.
“Our motto has always been ‘warfighter first,'” stated Truesdell, CEO of Tomahawk Robotics. “Everything we’ve designed or made has been optimized to better equip and prepare soldiers on the battlefield.”
“Joining AeroVironment means our solutions will have a broader reach and the opportunity to be optimized by not only AeroVironment’s family of systems, but [also] the broader robotics community, better enabling warfighters across the globe.”
AeroVironment to keep workforce, facilities
AeroVironment claimed that it is a global leader in intelligent multi-domain robotic systems, uncrewed aircraft and ground systems, sensors, software analytics, and connectivity. The Arlington, Va.-based company said it “delivers actionable intelligence so our customers can proceed with certainty.”
“The acquisition of Tomahawk Robotics will not only provide AeroVironment with strong new members of our team, but [also] a quality brand and products that are widely respected in the industry,” said Wahid Nawagi, Tomahawk chairman and CEO. “Tomahawk Robotics will become part of the small UAS (SUAS) business unit within AeroVironment’s Unmanned Systems segment. We intend to retain all of their workforce and existing facilities in Florida.”
“We will support all existing Tomahawk Robotics customers and their products will remain platform-agnostic to the market and within the industry,” he said. “We also plan to introduce Tomahawk Robotics solutions to AeroVironment’s growing network of more than 55 allied nations.”
“Combining features of our Crysalis operating system with Tomahawk Robotics’ AI-enhanced Kinesis platform means pairing the best common controller technology with the most ubiquitous unmanned systems on the market today,” said Stevenson. “Tomahawk Robotics’ Kinesis control system was integrated into AeroVironment’s small unmanned aircraft family of systems including Raven B and Puma 3 AE in 2022.”
“Acquiring Tomahawk Robotics strengthens our value to our customers as we will be uniquely qualified to support multiple platforms and offer the best solution for their operational needs,” Nawabi continued. “Tomahawk Robotics’ products will enable AeroVironment’s solutions to achieve an elevated Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) desired by our customers and the opportunity to expand into new and adjacent markets for interconnected soldiers with a Common Operating Picture enabled by AI and autonomy.”
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