Highlander Partners Acquires C-UAS Leader Liteye Systems
by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby
Leading private investment firm Highlander Partners, LP recently announced its acquisition of multi-mission defense company Liteye Systems, a developer of C-UAS (Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems).
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Designed to neutralize hostile drone threats, C-UAS technology is in high demand due to an increase in drone activity.
Since it began focusing on this technology in 2015, Liteye has become an industry leader, enabling the integration of its highly customizable and hardware agnostic systems through exclusive strategic partnerships such as multiple long-term relationships with US and international government agencies. Liteye’s modular technologies remove hardware dependencies and allow for upgrades that guarantee its systems are equipped with the latest technologies.
Highlander recently created High Point Aerotechnologies LLC, a C-UAS and UAS-focused division formed to establish a global leader in these growing industries by acquiring operating companies, emerging technologies, and industry experts. Led by former senior special ops officer Jim Gavrilis, High Point’s team features a range of leaders from defense, government, and technology sectors, all of which will aid in Liteye’s growth initiatives.
“The Liteye executive team is thrilled to join forces with Highlander to continue the growth of our multi-mission C-UAS platforms, built around protecting lives and critical infrastructure,” said Liteye co-founders Kenneth Geyer and Tom Scott. “We feel that the need for advanced C-UAS is more pressing than ever, and we believe that High Point and the broader Highlander team bring the necessary government and military relationships, industry experience, and long-term financial approach to support us in driving Liteye and the C-UAS industry forward.”
“We have dedicated substantial resources to exploring opportunities across the unmanned aircraft spectrum,” said Ben Slater, Partner at Highlander. “Liteye has emerged as a clear leader in the nascent and critical C-UAS space, and we believe that Highlander and High Point are well-equipped to support Liteye as it continues building on its strategic position as a provider of leading technology. We anticipate that Liteye will be the first step in establishing a larger platform and intend to pursue additional M&A in the space.”
“Despite meaningful private and public investment, many of today’s C-UAS solutions lagged advancements in offensive drone technology,” said Highlander President and CEO Jeff L. Hull. “However, Liteye’s system of systems approach and technology provide a leading solution to the market compared to many other C-UAS platforms. Needless to say, we are impressed with what Kenneth, Tom, and the rest of the Liteye team have built and we look forward to working together with them to take the Company to new heights.”
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Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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