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Simi Valley Today
By the People, for the People
AeroVironment Acquires SLO-Based ES Aero for $200M
The acquisition will further solidify AeroVironment's position as a global defense technology leader.
Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:32pm
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AeroVironment, a Virginia-based defense technology company with major operations in Simi Valley, California, has acquired San Luis Obispo-based Empirical Systems Aerospace (ES Aero) for approximately $200 million. ES Aero is a producer of unmanned aircraft systems. The deal includes $160 million in stock and the remainder in cash, and is expected to be accretive to AeroVironment's adjusted EBITDA in the first year following the close.
Why it matters
The acquisition will enhance AeroVironment's capabilities in innovative design and advanced manufacturing of aerospace technologies, which is critical to addressing the urgent demands of the evolving defense tech market. It also solidifies AeroVironment's position as a global leader in defense technology across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains.
The details
Once the deal is complete, ES Aero will operate as a subsidiary of AeroVironment, reporting into the company's Precision Strike and Defense Systems group under the Loitering Munition Systems business unit. This will further AeroVironment's production capabilities in its existing line of loitering munitions, missiles, drones, and adjacent domains. ES Aero's leadership and employees are expected to integrate into AeroVironment's operations and culture post-close.
- The acquisition was announced on March 16, 2026.
- The transaction is expected to be accretive to AeroVironment's adjusted EBITDA in the first year following the close.
The players
AeroVironment
A Virginia-based defense technology company with major operations in Simi Valley, California.
Empirical Systems Aerospace (ES Aero)
A San Luis Obispo-based producer of unmanned aircraft systems that was acquired by AeroVironment.
Andrew Gibson
The president and CEO of ES Aero.
Wahid Nawabi
The Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of AeroVironment.
What they’re saying
“ESAero brings an impressive agility in moving from design to manufacturing, which will accelerate AV's ability to bridge the gap between conceptual design and manufacturing execution.”
— Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer at AeroVironment
“Joining AV represents a unique opportunity to amplify the reach and impact of our innovative work and achieve greater success.”
— Andrew Gibson, President and CEO of ES Aero
What’s next
The acquisition is expected to close in the coming months, at which point ES Aero will begin operating as a subsidiary of AeroVironment.
The takeaway
This acquisition strengthens AeroVironment's position as a leading defense technology company, combining ES Aero's engineering and manufacturing capabilities with AeroVironment's expertise in autonomous systems to advance innovative aerospace technologies and meet the urgent demands of the evolving defense market.
