Redwire

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.

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

Headquarters

HQ city

Jacksonville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Microgravity Research Services: Contract research services for pharmaceutical and biotech companies using ISS facilities for drug development, crystal growth, and biomedical research in microgravity.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Taiwan Color OpticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 2 July 2026Contract through Taiwan Color Optics in Taichung to supply Penguin Mk2.5 VTOL UAS to Taiwan Coast Guard for maritime surveillance.
• Astrobiome SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Contract to launch world's first commercial space greenhouse on ISS for strawberry cultivation and soil enhancement research.
• GoogleminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2026Google reportedly discussing potential orbital data center launch deal with SpaceX, benefiting Redwire as solar array supplier.
• ispace U.S.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026Partnership for lunar landing missions under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract.
• European Space AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026Contracts for PROBA-3 spacecraft integration and QKDSat quantum-secure satellite program as part of multi-country consortium including Honeywell Aerospace.
• Aspera BiomedicinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026Cancer therapy investigation using PIL-BOX microgravity research platform on ISS, part of pharmaceutical development partnership.
• U.S. Space ForceflagshipImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 29 April 2026Selected 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.coreTechnology or Integration · 22 April 2026$12.8 million contract to deliver ELSA solar array wings for classified LEO mission, marking first sale of new extensible solar array product.
• SpaceXcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 April 2026SpaceX IPO creates investor interest in Redwire as space infrastructure supplier. Redwire provides solar arrays and components used on SpaceX missions.
• Edge AutonomyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 June 2025Acquired for $925 million to expand defense technology segment with unmanned aerial systems including Stalker and Penguin drones.
• QinetiQ Space NVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 October 2022Acquired 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

Direct 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

• Lockheed Martin:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/redwirespace
• Xx.com/RedwireSpace
• Facebookfacebook.com/RedwireSpace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A8 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Redwire