Redwire
Redwire (NYSE: RDW) is a Jacksonville, Florida-based integrated space and defense technology company that builds space-qualified hardware (solar arrays, spacecraft platforms, microgravity research systems) and combat-proven unmanned aerial systems and ISR payloads, primarily serving NASA, the U.S. military, and NATO allies.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersJacksonville, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Redwire does
Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW) is an integrated space and defense technology company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, operating across two reporting segments: Space Infrastructure and Defense Tech. The company was formed in 2020 through a SPAC merger consolidating multiple space technology businesses and was significantly reshaped by the $925 million acquisition of Edge Autonomy in June 2025, which added combat-proven unmanned aerial systems (Stalker and Penguin families) and the Octopus ISR/optics payload line. As of 2026 the company employs approximately 1,300-1,400 people across North America and Europe and serves a customer base anchored by NASA, the U.S. Space Force, the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, NATO allies, and select commercial space and pharmaceutical customers.
The Space Infrastructure segment provides space-qualified hardware and subsystems, including the IROSA roll-out solar arrays deployed on the International Space Station (8 wings producing 160+ kW), the new ELSA extensible low-profile solar array, the PIL-BOX pharmaceutical in-space laboratory, the Greenhouse commercial space agriculture system, the MANUS lunar robotic arm for ESA, the SabreSat platform for DARPA's Otter VLEO program, and the Mako spacecraft for the Space Force/Air Force Research Laboratory Tetra-5 on-orbit refueling demonstration. The Defense Tech segment, built around the Edge Autonomy acquisition, delivers tactical unmanned aerial systems (Stalker Block 30 with GPS-denied navigation and 8+ hour endurance; Penguin Mk2.5 VTOL and Mk3 tactical UAS), gyrostabilized EO/IR ISR payloads, and related autonomous aircraft technology to U.S. and allied military customers.
Redwire generates revenue through fixed-price, cost-plus, and time-and-material U.S. government contracts (sole-source and competitive procurement through vehicles such as the $1.8 billion Andromeda IDIQ), international defense tenders, and direct commercial sales. Revenue scaled from approximately $304M in FY2024 to $335M in FY2025 (10% YoY), accelerated to $97M in Q1 2026 (57.9% YoY) following the Edge Autonomy consolidation, and management has guided to $450-500M for FY2026. Contracted backlog reached a record $498.1M with a 1.92 book-to-bill ratio in Q1 2026, while gross margin expanded from 14.7% to 26.6% year-over-year, though the company has not yet achieved positive EBITDA.
Redwire firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Redwire
- Legal name
- Redwire Corporation
- Website
- https://redwirespace.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Redwire (NYSE: RDW) is a Jacksonville, Florida-based integrated space and defense technology company that builds space-qualified hardware (solar arrays, spacecraft platforms, microgravity research systems) and combat-proven unmanned aerial systems and ISR payloads, primarily serving NASA, the U.S. military, and NATO allies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Redwire is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jacksonville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Redwire business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
Revenue model
- Space Infrastructure Products: Space-grade solar arrays, deployable structures, spacecraft platforms, RF systems, avionics, and optical sensors for government and commercial space customers. Includes ISS components, satellite hardware, and lunar infrastructure.
- Defense Tech / UAS: Uncrewed aerial systems including Stalker and Penguin drones sold to U.S. military, NATO allies, and international defense customers. Includes ISR payloads and autonomous aircraft technology.
- Microgravity Research Services: Contract research services for pharmaceutical and biotech companies using ISS facilities for drug development, crystal growth, and biomedical research in microgravity.
- Government Contracts: Fixed-price, cost-plus, and time-and-material contracts with U.S. government agencies (NASA, Space Force, Army, Navy) and allied governments for space and defense technology.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Government defense contracts - bid-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Redwire product offering
Product offeringCore offering
No source-supported information is available to describe Redwire's core offerings.
Product overview
Redwire is an integrated space and defense technology company offering a comprehensive portfolio of advanced technology solutions across two core segments: Space Infrastructure and Defense Tech. The Space segment provides solar arrays and deployable structures (including IROSA, ELSA), spacecraft platforms (SabreSat, Mako), RF systems, avionics, and microgravity research capabilities (PIL-BOX, Greenhouse). The Defense Tech segment, significantly expanded through the $925 million acquisition of Edge Autonomy, delivers combat-proven uncrewed aerial systems including Stalker and Penguin families, and Octopus ISR/optics payloads. Key products include the PIL-BOX pharmaceutical research platform, MANUS lunar robotic arm, and PROBA-3 spacecraft integration for ESA. The company serves NASA, U.S. military branches, NATO allies, and commercial space customers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PIL-BOX: Pharmaceutical In-space Laboratory technology for drug development research on the International Space Station
- Edge Autonomy
- Octopus ISR
- ELSA
- Penguin
- Stalker
- IROSA
- Greenhouse
Quantifiable outcome
- Record backlog of $498.1 million with book-to-bill ratio of 1.92 in Q1 2026
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Redwire
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments4 records
Redwire technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Redwire partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- Taiwan Color OpticscoreContract through Taiwan Color Optics in Taichung to supply Penguin Mk2.5 VTOL UAS to Taiwan Coast Guard for maritime surveillance.
- Astrobiome SpacecoreContract to launch world's first commercial space greenhouse on ISS for strawberry cultivation and soil enhancement research.
- GoogleminorGoogle reportedly discussing potential orbital data center launch deal with SpaceX, benefiting Redwire as solar array supplier.
- ispace U.S.minorPartnership for lunar landing missions under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract.
- European Space AgencycoreContracts for PROBA-3 spacecraft integration and QKDSat quantum-secure satellite program as part of multi-country consortium including Honeywell Aerospace.
- Aspera BiomedicinescoreCancer therapy investigation using PIL-BOX microgravity research platform on ISS, part of pharmaceutical development partnership.
- U.S. Space ForceflagshipSelected as one of 14 contractors for the $1.8 billion Andromeda program, a 10-year initiative to build next-generation orbital surveillance systems for space domain awareness in geosynchronous orbit.
- Moog Inc.core$12.8 million contract to deliver ELSA solar array wings for classified LEO mission, marking first sale of new extensible solar array product.
- SpaceXcoreSpaceX IPO creates investor interest in Redwire as space infrastructure supplier. Redwire provides solar arrays and components used on SpaceX missions.
- Edge AutonomyflagshipAcquired for $925 million to expand defense technology segment with unmanned aerial systems including Stalker and Penguin drones.
- QinetiQ Space NVcoreAcquired Belgium-based space infrastructure company for €32 million to expand European presence and space infrastructure capabilities.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Redwire competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rocket Lab USA: Public space company providing launch services and space hardware (spacecraft platforms, solar power systems, separation systems) to U.S. government and commercial customers. Directly comparable as a vertically integrated, publicly traded space infrastructure supplier with defense exposure.
- AeroVironment: Public defense tech company focused on tactical unmanned aerial systems (Switchblade, Puma, Raven) sold to U.S. military and allies. Most direct competitor to Redwire's Penguin and Stalker UAS portfolio, with similar end customers and combat-proven positioning.
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: Public defense and space company offering target drones, unmanned systems, satellite communications, and space products. Comparable as a mid-cap, mission-focused defense/space platform with similar GTM into U.S. military and allies.
- Astronics Corporation: Public aerospace and defense electronics supplier providing power, lighting, and connectivity systems for aircraft and spacecraft. Comparable on space-grade power systems and avionics components similar to Redwire's solar array and RF offerings.
- MDA Space: Public Canadian space company providing satellite systems, space robotics, and Earth observation infrastructure. Directly comparable as a space infrastructure specialist serving government and commercial customers with spacecraft platforms and on-orbit services.
Emerging players
- BlackSky Holdings: Public space-based intelligence company providing satellite ISR and analytics. Adjacent competitor in the space-based ISR domain, with overlap in payload and analytics capabilities relevant to Redwire's Octopus ISR business.
- York Space Systems: Private satellite manufacturer producing standardized spacecraft platforms for U.S. government and commercial constellations. Comparable as a newer space infrastructure provider in overlapping spacecraft platform and bus markets.
Broad incumbents
- Parsons Corporation: Public defense and intelligence contractor providing space domain awareness, missile defense, and autonomous systems. Comparable as a mid-to-large federal services and defense technology platform selling into overlapping DoD and intelligence community customers.
- Northrop Grumman: Large defense prime with extensive space systems, satellite manufacturing, and ISR capabilities. Comparable as a broader space and defense incumbent whose scale and prime-contractor position dwarf Redwire but operates in overlapping domains (spacecraft platforms, ISR, defense).
Others
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Redwire social profiles
Digital presenceRedwire financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Redwire leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Redwire subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Redwire funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Redwire M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A8 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Redwire
What does Redwire do?
No source-supported information is available to describe Redwire's core offerings.
Is Redwire a public or private company?
Redwire is a public company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Redwire founded?
Redwire was founded in 2020. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Redwire based?
Redwire is headquartered in Jacksonville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Redwire make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Space Infrastructure Products are the primary driver. The others are defense Tech / UAS, microgravity Research Services and government Contracts.
Who are Redwire's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rocket Lab USA, AeroVironment, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Astronics Corporation and MDA Space. Emerging players are BlackSky Holdings and York Space Systems. Broad incumbents are Parsons Corporation and Northrop Grumman. Lockheed Martin is listed as an others.
Does Redwire have an API?
No public API is recorded for Redwire.