Greenbriar Equity Group, L.P. announced on December 4, 2025 the creation of Applied Aerospace & Defense (AA&D), a new platform formed by merging Applied Aerospace and PCX Aerosystems. The combination brings together more than 1,300 professionals and approximately 1.3 million square feet of advanced manufacturing and integration facilities across nine U.S. locations, positioning AA&D as a major player in the aerospace, space, and defense hardware market.
The merger expands Greenbriar’s capabilities into mission‑critical manufacturing for aircraft, rotorcraft, satellites, launch vehicles, and missile‑defense systems. By integrating metallic, composite, and polymer manufacturing expertise, the new platform can deliver rapid, high‑quality production and sustainment services to U.S. defense and commercial customers, leveraging a deep network of suppliers and a proven track record of working with major contractors such as Northrop Grumman, RTX, Lockheed Martin, and BAE Systems.
Strategically, the move signals Greenbriar’s intent to diversify beyond its traditional real‑estate and renewable‑energy focus. The firm’s prior investment in Applied Aerospace Structures Corporation in 2022 provided a foundation in the sector, and the new platform is designed to strengthen domestic supply‑chain resilience amid geopolitical pressures. The vertically integrated footprint allows AA&D to respond quickly to customer needs and to scale production for complex, high‑reliability programs.
Trip Ferguson, the newly appointed CEO, emphasized the platform’s heritage and agility: “The new Applied Aerospace & Defense is forged in heritage, trusted in action, driven by mission, and engineered for agility.” Managing Director Noah Blitzer added that the partnership “strengthens supply‑chain reliability and resilience across the domestic industrial base,” underscoring the strategic value to U.S. defense programs.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but the scale of the combined operations and the breadth of capabilities suggest a significant investment in a high‑barrier, defense‑heavy industry. The formation is expected to broaden Greenbriar’s revenue streams and enhance its competitive positioning, positioning AA&D to capture growth in both defense and commercial space markets.
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