Israeli private equity firm FIMI Opportunity Funds has signed an agreement to acquire a 50% stake of BIRD Aerosystems, a leading developer of Special Mission Aircraft Solutions (ASIO) and Airborne Missile Protection Systems (AMPS).
FIMI Senior Partner, Gillon Beck, highlighted the opportunities provided by the investment to help the company increase its market share, as well as the potential market growth for BIRD Aerosystems as reasons for their investment.
Ronen Factor, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Bird Aerosystems: “FIMI fund’s investment in the company testifies to BIRD Aerosystems’ unique technologies and products, and to the business potential of the company. BIRD Aerosystems will keep developing innovative and advanced airborne surveillance and missile protection systems, and I am confident that FIMI’s rich experience and reputation will significantly contribute to the company’s growth in Israel and around the world.”
BIRD Aerosystems was founded in 2001 by Mr. Ronen Factor, Mr. David Dragucki and Mr. Zahi Ben Ari, three veterans of the Israeli air force. The company specializes in developing and deploying two main product lines: Airborne Missile Protection Systems (AMPS) and Airborne Surveillance, Information and Observation (ASIO) solutions.
BIRD’s field-proven Airborne Missile Protection System (AMPS) family of solutions provides complete protection against all known Surface to Air Missiles (SAM) including MANPADS, Laser Beam Rider threats and radar-guided missiles. The company’s ASIO solution offers decision makers and field-commanders accurate, real-time terrestrial and maritime information that enhances situational awareness.
Combining in-depth knowledge of airborne operational requirements along with continuous innovations that drive the development of new and advanced airborne products and solutions, BIRD provides turn-key programs that include operational analysis, system design, system integration and installation, project management, extended product support, and a broad range of system engineering activities including ground testing, flight testing and system certification.
BIRD Aerosystems’ solutions are in wide scale, long-term use by some of the world’s largest commercial, governmental, military, and transnational organizations – including NATO forces, UN Air Operations, the US Government, Airbus and other major aircraft manufacturers, and many others.
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Israeli company BIRD Aerosystems, has completed the deliveries of additional AMPS systems, including the MACS – a Missile Approach Confirmation Sensor, and a provision of SPREOS – the Self Protection Radar Electro-Optic System DIRCM, for the Czech Air Force Mil Mi-17 military helicopters. The MACS is a semi-active confirmation radar that reduces the false alarm rate of the overall missile warning system. This program is part of a follow-up program with the Czech Air Force that has been protecting its helicopters with the AMPS system for the last 15 years and has deployed them in the most complex environments, such as Afghanistan.
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