New York-based private equity firm Sagewind Capital LLC announced Jan. 6 an investment in Sigma Defense Systems LLC, a provider of airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or AISR, sensor data transport engineering and services.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Sigma Defense serves a wide range of defense end users, including the Defense Department and the intelligence community. Its capabilities support highly complex, ground-based tactical-relay, sensor data backhaul systems to ensure the secure and rapid transport of information from the tactical edge to operators and analysts worldwide.
John Wilcox and Matt Jones have joined Sigma Defense as CEO and president, respectively. Wilcox previously served as chief information officer of U.S. Special Operations Command, where he was responsible for developing the AISR roadmap. Jones previously served as president of SAP NS2 Mission Systems, where he oversaw a portfolio of diverse signals intelligence and ISR contracts.
Scott Ritchie and Thor James, Sigma Defense’s founders, remain with the company as chief growth officer and chief operating officer, respectively.
Sagewind Managing Partner Steven Lefkowitz said Sigma Defense “has an excellent track record and reputation delivering high-impact, mission-critical tactical relay data transport services to the US military so that intelligence analysts can continue to work with real-time information and solve various problems.”
Sagewind is “an ideal partner to help us accelerate growth as we enter into a new chapter in our Company’s development,” Ritchie said. “They have backed several management teams in growing their businesses through acquisitions and other growth initiatives, including expanding their customer bases and capabilities.”
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acted as Sagewind’s legal counsel. DC Advisory served as exclusive financial adviser to Sagewind. Maynard Cooper & Gale served as legal counsel to Sigma Defense.