Chartis Federal has acquired majority ownership of Kodiak Aerospace, LLC and Aerospace Inventions, LLC. These transactions reflect the company’s commitment to build American-made unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that provide new and higher-performance solutions for government customers. Chartis will now manage Kodiak’s airframe design, rapid prototyping, and production facilities in Stuart, Florida. Chartis will also oversee research and development (R&D) activities at Aerospace Inventions, which creates intellectual property for the UAS industry. Both companies will be integrated with Periscope Aviation, the UAS business launched by Chartis in 2019.
“We are excited to welcome Kodiak and Aerospace Inventions to the Chartis family,” said Nick McCarter, Chief Executive Officer at Chartis. “Our vision for Periscope is to change what is possible with unmanned systems. We are designing solutions that are purpose-built for public safety, law enforcement, homeland security, and defense operations – with each solution challenging historic UAS performance barriers. The addition of Kodiak and Aerospace Inventions expands our capabilities and is a strategic step toward becoming a leading American option for the government market.”
Nick Bowers, Chief Executive Officer at Kodiak also praised the moves. “Our prior investment group was tremendous in helping our UAS technology evolve. The Chartis acquisition focuses our technology and ongoing R&D efforts on public sector needs. In my eyes, first responders, law enforcement officers, and the men and women of the U.S. military are heroes. I am excited to work with them, enhance the tools they have to do their job, and ultimately keep them safer.”
The transactions closed on June 26, 2020. In the coming months, Chartis and Periscope Aviation will participate in the U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX Base of the Future initiative and the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE) 2021. In addition, the company continues to improve its supply delivery solution based on its award at the Department of Navy’s Tactical Resupply UAS (TRUAS) prize challenge and deliver tethered C4ISR systems for Defense and Homeland Security organizations.
About Chartis Federal: Chartis Federal is a systems engineering and integration firm that specializes in mission-critical IT and communications for law enforcement, homeland security, and defense. We have served as the prime contractor for over $100M of task order awards, and today have more than 100 staff in 18 states providing services and solutions across the globe. With year-over-year growth, Chartis has been a member of the Washington Technology FAST 50 two times and ranked on the Inc. 5000 five consecutive years.
About Periscope Aviation: Periscope Aviation provides high-performance, unmanned aircraft vehicles and systems that are optimized for specific mission requirements including tactical resupply, remote communications, and C4ISR. Our multi-rotor platforms are more reliable and safer than hobby-grade drones and more affordable than high-altitude, custom fixed-wing aircraft. All Periscope solutions are built in America with components that can be purchased by U.S. federal agencies.