Frontgrade Technologies Acquires Aethercomm

Acquisition combines Aethercomm’s active RF power with Frontgrade’s existing antennas and multi-mission processing systems to provide integrated solutions for the most complex space and defense missions

Frontgrade Technologies (“Frontgrade”), a portfolio company of Veritas Capital (“Veritas”) and a leading independent supplier of high-reliability, advanced electronic solutions for space and national security missions, announced today the completion of its acquisition of Aethercomm, a designer and manufacturer of high-power radio frequency (RF) solid state power amplifiers as well as transmit/receive and high-power RF switches.

Since its inception over 60 years ago, Frontgrade and its products have had a presence on all historical major U.S. space platforms. The combined company will now offer complete, integrated and turnkey solutions for aerospace and defense customers by joining Aethercomm’s active RF amplifiers, switches and hardware with Frontgrade’s existing antenna solutions.

“Aethercomm’s RF technologies have an excellent reputation for reliability and are very complementary to Frontgrade’s current portfolio of processing, power and propulsion solutions,” said Mike Elias, President and CEO at Frontgrade. “We look forward to integrating Aethercomm’s business capabilities and highly skilled team with Frontgrade, and we anticipate that the end-to-end range of products we now offer will provide significant advantages to our customers.”

“This strategic combination was made possible through the dedication of our team and enables Aethercomm to benefit from increased scale and investment in R&D and people to better serve our customers,” said Todd Thornton, Aethercomm’s Founder and CEO. “By adding our active RF solutions to the existing Frontgrade platform, we will ensure that companies operating in the aerospace and defense sectors are equipped with an innovative and fully integrated product suite.”

Aethercomm will operate as a division of Frontgrade and be rebranded as Frontgrade Aethercomm. Todd Thornton and the Aethercomm management team will remain with the business, with Thornton serving as General Manager of the new division.

KippsDeSanto acted as exclusive financial advisor to Aethercomm. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP acted as legal counsel to Veritas and Frontgrade in connection with the transaction. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Frontgrade

Frontgrade Technologies, a portfolio company of Veritas Capital, is the leading provider of high-reliability (hi-rel), radiation-hardened (rad-hard) solutions for defense, intelligence, commercial, and civil applications. The Company has a complementary and integrated suite of mission-critical electronics. Key products include rad-hard components, mission processing subsystems, custom ASICs, motion control systems, waveguides, antennas, power management solutions, as well as cabling to help you meet your mission critical needs. For more information, visit www.frontgrade.com.

About Veritas Capital

Veritas is a longstanding technology investor with over $40 billion of assets under management and a focus on companies operating at the intersection of technology and government. The firm invests in companies that provide critical products, software, and services, primarily technology and technology-enabled solutions, to government and commercial customers worldwide. Veritas seeks to create value by strategically transforming the companies in which it invests through organic and inorganic means. Leveraging technology to make a positive impact across vitally important areas, such as healthcare, education, and national security, is core to the firm. Veritas is a proud steward of national assets, improving the quality of healthcare while reducing cost, advancing our educational system, and protecting our nation and allies. For more information, visit www.veritascapital.com.

About Aethercomm

Aethercomm is a leading provider of high-power radio frequency (RF) amplifier modules and switches to service a wide variety of military vehicles. The company’s regular and rackmount RF amplifiers and switches are used by all branches of the Armed Forces and some of the world’s largest and most respected defense contractors. Aethercomm has a stellar track record of engineering and manufacturing RF power amplifiers and other hardware that is tested and proven to operate without fail on the battlefield and in extreme situations. For more information, visit www.aethercomm.com.

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