Metrea
Metrea is a privately held US defense company delivering effects-as-a-service—commercial aerial refueling, airborne ISR, special-mission aviation, SIGINT/EW training, and high-fidelity military simulation—to defense and homeland-security ministries including the US DoD, UK MOD, Indian Air Force, German Air Force, Australian Border Force, and Frontex.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Metrea does
Metrea is a privately held US defense and national-security company, headquartered in Washington, DC and incorporated in Delaware as Meta Aerospace Management LLC d/b/a Metrea Management, that describes itself as "the originator and leading provider of effects-as-a-service to national security partners." The company was rebranded from Meta Aerospace in October 2022 and operates 18 office locations across the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Poland, Singapore, and Australia, with a workforce of 501–1,000 employees. Metrea organizes its capabilities across three domains: Air (commercial aerial refueling via the world's only commercially-operated KC-135 fleet of 18 tankers, Airborne ISR with 170,000+ flight hours, special-mission aviation including the FIRESWIFT DHC-8 firefighting aircraft with Starlink BLOS, advanced rotary-wing training, FAA ODA-approved STC engineering, and Executive Aviation charter/MRO); Electromagnetic & Cyber (ALPHA28 SI/EW/Cyber training and direct operational support to SOF, plus fielded SIGINT/EW equipment); and Digital & Synthetic (the NOR ultimate-fidelity simulation platform on Unreal Engine 5 with TACNOR/OPNOR modules, LASSO Space Domain Awareness software, OLYMPUS mission system, and the VESPA adversarial drone platform with FLAMINGO ground-control software). Metrea's vertically integrated full-stack model — architect, design, engineer, test, certify, and operate — is supported by FAA ODA authority (43+ STCs, 200+ aircraft types, 750 aircraft models), an FAA Part 145 MRO, and proprietary software/hardware platforms protected as trade secrets.
Metrea makes money primarily through long-term, multi-year managed-services contracts and as-a-service commercial offerings with defense and homeland-security ministries/agencies. Revenue streams include: managed-services government contracts (NAVAIR commercial AAR for US Navy/USMC/USAF/NATO since late 2021; UK MOD SOTERIA for JEWOSC through 2032; Indian Air Force AAR; German Air Force; Australian Border Force; Frontex C-UAS; DIU VTRAD sole-software-provider role); usage-based commercial AAR capacity; transaction-fee charter and FBO services via Metrea Executive Aviation (Tampa FL and Bethany OK); FAA Part 145 MRO professional services; licensing/royalties on STC/PMA/TSO assets (including an exclusive global distribution partnership with Raisbeck Engineering); and recurring ALPHA28 SI/EW training courses. Government pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; charter pricing is set via online booking form. Customer segments are anchored on national-security ministries but include a smaller private/corporate aviation segment for charter and MRO.
The group has scaled aggressively since the 2022 rebrand through a sequenced acquisition program: Markpoint Technologies (April 2023, rebranded Metrea Algorithmics); the 14-tanker French Air and Space Forces KC-/C-135 fleet (June–July 2024, growing the commercial AAR fleet from 4 to 18 aircraft); Peregrine Avionics (September 2024, rebranded Metrea Aerospace Design, bringing FAA ODA in-house); and Intellic Technologies (March 2025, integrating FS3D fire-modeling simulation into NOR). Competitive positioning relies on regulatory moats (FAA ODA), efficient scale (only commercial KC-135 operator, world's largest commercial AAR fleet), talent pedigree (veteran USAF/SOF workforce with 400 years combined SI/EW/SOF Cyber SME experience), and switching costs from embedded long-term contracts and training-pipeline integration. Key execution risks include the February 2025 King Air 350 fatal crash in the Philippines, dependence on continued US/Allied defense spending, and concentration on a handful of large government anchor contracts (NAVAIR, SOTERIA).
Metrea firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Metrea
- Legal name
- Meta Aerospace Management LLC
- Website
- https://metrea.aero
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Metrea is a privately held US defense company delivering effects-as-a-service—commercial aerial refueling, airborne ISR, special-mission aviation, SIGINT/EW training, and high-fidelity military simulation—to defense and homeland-security ministries including the US DoD, UK MOD, Indian Air Force, German Air Force, Australian Border Force, and Frontex.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Metrea industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Defense and Aerospace Services
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Military Avionics, Mission Computers & Flight Controls (IMABAMAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL), Military ISR, EW & SIGINT Payloads (Airborne) (IMABAMAF)
Keywords
Where Metrea is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices17 records
Markets served
Metrea business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Effects-as-a-Service Government Contracts: Long-term managed services contracts providing integrated mission capabilities (Airborne ISR, AAR, EW/Cyber training, Mission Data, Simulation) to defense and national security ministries. Includes major NAVAIR contract for US Navy/USMC/USAF/NATO AAR; UK MOD contracts; Indian Air Force AAR training; German Air Force training; Australian Border Force surveillance.
- Commercial Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) Services: Commercial (non-government) tanker capacity delivered on as-a-service basis; capacity can be turned on/off and scaled up/down. World's largest commercial AAR fleet (18 tankers after French FASF acquisition).
- Executive Aviation Charter and FBO Services: Bespoke air charter for cargo, medical, and executive travel; FBO ground services at Tampa (FL) and Bethany (OK); aircraft management and aircraft sales broker services.
- Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Services: FAA Part 145-certified MRO capabilities for Citation, Challenger, Falcon, Gulfstream, King Air, Lear Jet airframes; avionics, engine/APU, overhauls/inspections, parts, pre-buy inspections; mobile repair team within 250nm of Tampa.
- STC, PMA, TSO and Certification Engineering: Licensing/engineering revenue from FAA-approved Supplemental Type Certificates, Parts Manufacturer Approval components, and Technical Standard Order products. Sold to aircraft and equipment OEMs, operators, and repair stations. STC distribution partnership with Raisbeck Engineering.
- SI/EW Training Courses and Exercise Support: Proprietary training courses and custom military exercise design (e.g., ALPHA28) delivered to SOF and Five Eyes governments; 150+ courses/exercises per year.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based government/defense contracts (not publicly disclosed) |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Metrea Executive Aviation Charter (Cargo, Medical, Executive Travel) |
Go-to-market motion5 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Metrea product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Metrea delivers "effects-as-a-service" to national security partners, providing commercially owned and operated capabilities across Air, Electromagnetic & Cyber, and Digital & Synthetic domains. Core offerings include commercial air-to-air refueling using the world's only commercially operated KC-135 fleet (18 tankers), Airborne ISR, the FIRESWIFT special mission DHC-8 aerial firefighting aircraft, FAA ODA-approved STC certification engineering, ALPHA28 SI/EW/CE training for Special Operations Forces, the NOR ultimate-fidelity military simulation platform, VESPA counter-UAS drones with FLAMINGO ground control, and LASSO/OLYMPUS mission data software.
Product overview
Metrea delivers a platform-plus-modules architecture of effects-as-a-service solutions organized across three primary domains. The Air Domain includes the FIRESWIFT aerial firefighting aircraft, KC-135 Commercial Aerial Refueling Service, Metrea Aerospace Design (STC/ODA certification), and Metrea Executive Aviation (charter/MRO). The Electromagnetic and Cyber Domain features the ALPHA28 training program, Signals Intelligence and Secure Communications Products, and Electronic Warfare and Cyber Products. The Digital and Synthetic Domain centers on the NOR Simulation Platform (with TACNOR tactical and OPNOR operational modules), LASSO Space Domain Awareness software, OLYMPUS Mission Support Systems, Tactical Data Links, and Data Fusion and Analytics, supported by the VESPA adversarial drone platform and FLAMINGO ground control software. These are delivered through multiple business units including Metrea Simulations, Metrea Mission Data, Metrea Strategic Mobility, Metrea Advanced Signals, Metrea Spectrum Operations, Metrea Algorithmics, Metrea Aerial Effects, Metrea Special Aerospace, and Metrea Aviation Services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Metrea Special Aerospace: Designs, builds and delivers asymmetric special mission aviation effects.
- Metrea Aerospace Design
- Metrea Strategic Mobility
- Metrea Advanced Signals
- Metrea Spectrum Operations
- Metrea Algorithmics
- Metrea Simulations
- Metrea Mission Data
- Metrea Executive Aviation
- Metrea Aerial Effects
- FIRESWIFT
Products and services
- FIRESWIFT Aerial Firefighting Aircraft Special mission DHC-8 aircraft fitted with EO/IR Full Motion Video (FMV) and Starlink BLOS communications, combining advanced precision aerial firefighting drop capabilities with surveillance and communication technologies to detect, target and engage wildfires; only special mission DHC-8 with Starlink BLOS. Short take-off and landing enables rapid redeployment and flexible airfield selection.
- NOR Simulation Platform (TACNOR and OPNOR) Ultimate-fidelity physics-based military simulation platform built on Unreal Engine 5. TACNOR delivers individual pilot VR through mixed-reality sim rig training; OPNOR enables large-scale high-fidelity combat operations simulations used to optimize force structures. Sole software provider for the US Defense Innovation Unit VTRAD program, embedded in USAF Air Education and Training Command training pipeline (F-16 virtual prototype and T-38C).
- LASSO Space Domain Awareness Software Space Domain Awareness software that enables airborne ISR platforms to capture SDA video and images from lower earth orbit using traditional ISR cameras, integrating with existing mission systems without complex hardware changes or expensive integrations.
- OLYMPUS Mission Support System Data-centric mission system that enables operators to cut through large volumes of onboard sensor data to surface the information that matters during mission execution, providing decision-relevant information from high-volume sensor inputs.
- ALPHA28 SI/EW/CE Training Program Industry-standard Signals Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Cyber Enablement (SI/EW/CE) training and direct operational support for Special Operations Forces. Over 11 years of excellence, 500+ significant training events delivered, and 150+ courses/exercises per year for US and Five Eyes governments, delivered by a dedicated staff of veteran SMEs with 400 years of combined SI/EW and SOF Cyber experience.
- VESPA Adversarial Drone Platform Specialized, complex adversarial drone platform (custom-built and modified commercial drones) used to replicate sophisticated adversarial behaviors including coordinated swarms, GNSS-denied operations, low-visibility ISR missions, and simultaneous multi-directional attacks for counter-UAS Testing, Training and Evaluation (T3E) services. Deployed for Frontex C-UAS Solutions Prize Contest Phase 2 (January 2026, 200+ drone missions over three weeks at Alcochete, Portugal).
- FLAMINGO Ground Control Software Proprietary ground control software used to plan and execute repeatable, advanced flight profiles including coordinated swarms for adversarial drone operations and counter-UAS threat replication. Used together with VESPA drones for C-UAS testing, training, and evaluation services.
- Commercial Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) Service Commercial air-to-air refueling service using the world's only commercially operated fleet of 18 C-/KC-135 aircraft (the 5th largest aerial refueling fleet in the world). Aircraft equipped with both air refueling boom and two wing-mounted Multi-Point Refueling System (MPRS) pods to refuel both receptacle-equipped (USAF) and probe-equipped (US Navy, US Marine Corps, allied) aircraft. >90% aircraft availability rate and 93% mission reliability rate since NAVAIR contract execution began in late 2021. Customers include US Navy, USMC, USAF, NATO, Indian Air Force (since March 2025), German Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force.
- Metrea Aerospace Design STC Engineering and Certification Aircraft engineering design, certification, and modification services operating under FAA Organization Designation Authorization (ODA), with a portfolio exceeding 43 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) covering more than 200 aircraft types and 750 aircraft models. Provides Part 23, Part 25, Part 27 and Part 29 approvals, plus Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) and Technical Standard Order (TSO) products. Trusted FAA certification resource for over 16 years; STC portfolio exclusively distributed globally by Raisbeck Engineering.
- Metrea Executive Aviation (Charter, MRO, FBO, Aircraft Management) Full life cycle aircraft management service with FAA Part 145-certified MRO capabilities (Citation, Challenger, Falcon, Gulfstream, King Air, Lear Jet airframes), bespoke charter solutions for cargo, medical, and executive travel, FBO services at Tampa FL and Bethany OK, aircraft management, and a Mobile Repair Team within a 250-nautical mile radius of Tampa. FAA Part 135 charter certificate holder.
- Airborne ISR Service Integrated, turnkey Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (AISR) solutions delivered to defense partners. Crewed by highly experienced former military pilots, ISR sensor operators and specialized maintenance teams deployed to austere, remote worldwide locations. Over 7,500 missions and more than 170,000 flight hours of crewed AISR operations across Europe, US, Africa and Asia over the past decade. Customers include US DoD, UK MOD, German Air Force, Norwegian Armed Forces, Australian Border Force, Royal Saudi Air Force.
- Advanced Tactical Rotary Wing Training Advanced rotary wing training services and support to the U.S. DoD, NATO, Partner Nations, and Law Enforcement, leveraging the expertise of former Army Special Operations Aviation and Special Mission Units. Supports programs including the U.S. Army National Guard's training locations and the Multinational Special Aviation Program (MSAP).
Quantifiable outcome
- 170,000+ hours of crewed Airborne ISR operations across Europe, US, Africa and Asia over the past decade
- +9 more outcomes
Companies that use Metrea
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Metrea technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability9 records
Feature10 records
Metrea partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
27 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, strategic and core.
- CGI (with industry partners SRC, MASS, DXC)flagshipMetrea is one of CGI's industry partners under the UK Ministry of Defence SOTERIA contract (3-year, options to 2032) to sustain and enhance mission-critical Electromagnetic Warfare Operational Support capabilities for the Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Centre (JEWOSC) and the iDEWDb system. Partners: SRC, MASS, DXC, Metrea.
- Bombardier DefensestrategicBombardier Defense to provide three Global 6500 aircraft for maritime surveillance missions to the Australian Border Force, with the aircraft to be operated by Metrea. Marks introduction of the Global platform in Australia in a special mission configuration.
- Raisbeck EngineeringstrategicRaisbeck Engineering secured exclusive global distribution rights for Metrea's Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs), expanding its aftermarket portfolio of certified aircraft modifications across various platforms.
- Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)flagshipDIU selected Metrea Simulations (MSIM) as sole software provider for the Virtual Training for Air Dominance (VTRAD) program, expanded in November 2023 to add high-fidelity virtual F-16 flight model and cockpit alongside a previously awarded T-38C prototype. Supports USAF Air Education and Training Command's Fighter Bomber Fundamental Course.
- UWE Bristol & Innovate UKcoreUWE Bristol and Metrea have secured funding from Innovate UK to form a new 24-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership — R&D/academic collaboration.
- Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)strategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website as a UK defense research partner.
- Scientific Research Corporation (SRC)strategicListed as a Metrea partner on the website and as a co-industry partner on the UK MOD SOTERIA contract alongside CGI, MASS, DXC, and Metrea.
- Raytheon TechnologiesstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website as a major defense prime partner.
- Lockheed MartinstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
- L3HarrisstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
- QinetiQstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
- Booz Allen HamiltonstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
- TextronstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
- Huntington Ingalls IndustriesstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
- CACI InternationalstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
- Leonardo DRSstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
- DynCorp InternationalstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
- Vickers Nolan EnterprisesstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
- AtkinsstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
- CobhamstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
- FLIR SystemsstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website (sensor integration for ISR/surveillance solutions).
- GarminstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website (avionics integrations).
- IMSARstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website (ISR radar/sensor integration).
- Finnoff Aviation ProductsstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
- SmartronixstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
- ManTech International CorporationstrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
- IndrastrategicListed among Metrea's customers & partners on the corporate website.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Metrea competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AAR Corp: Public US aviation services company with overlapping FAA Part 145 MRO, government aviation services, and integrated supply chain offerings. Most directly comparable to Metrea's Executive Aviation MRO and government aviation contracting motions; both compete for special-mission modifications and defense logistics work.
- MAG Aerospace: Private US-based special mission aviation services provider delivering ISR, SIGINT, aerial refueling support, and rotary-wing training to defense and intelligence customers globally. Closest direct competitor in the airborne ISR/special mission effects-as-a-service space and a head-to-head rival for NAVAIR-adjacent and allied contracts.
- Discovery Air: Canadian-based provider of specialized aviation services including airborne training, ISR, and aerial refueling support to militaries. Direct competitor in the allied/coalition special-mission aviation market and historically a peer in commercial AAR capacity provision.
- Berry Aviation: Private US operator providing on-demand special mission aviation, ISR, and personnel/cargo transport to DoD, intelligence community, and allied governments. Direct peer to Metrea Special Aerospace in small-footprint, austere-environment, special-mission crewed aviation.
Broad incumbents
- Parsons Corporation: Public US defense and intelligence contractor with significant footprint in electronic warfare, SIGINT training, mission solutions, and special-mission aviation services. Competes with Metrea's ALPHA28-style EW/SOF training and broader Mission Data offerings for DoD and Five Eyes program dollars.
- CACI International: Public US defense IT and electronic warfare specialist providing SIGINT, EW, and cyber operations support to US DoD and intelligence community. Listed as a Metrea partner but also a competitor for adjacent EW/Cyber Enablement contracts that Metrea Spectrum Operations and Metrea Algorithmics pursue.
- CAE: Public Canadian global leader in aviation training and high-fidelity military simulation platforms (including pilot training systems for USAF and allied air forces). Closest broad incumbent competing with Metrea Simulations' NOR platform for defense simulation contracts, though CAE operates at significantly larger scale and serves fixed-wing pilot training broadly.
- FlightSafety International (FSI): Major commercial and military flight training organization owned by Berkshire Hathaway, providing high-fidelity full-motion simulators and pilot training programs. Adjacent incumbent to NOR for individual-pilot (TACNOR-equivalent) high-fidelity simulator work, though less focused on operational-level combat simulation.
- Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC): Private US defense prime specializing in special mission aircraft modification, ISR integration, electronic warfare, and simulation/training systems. Directly comparable to Metrea Aerospace Design (STC/modification work) and adjacent in EW/SIGINT; competes for similar special-mission and ODA-certified integration programs.
Emerging players
- Anduril Industries: Well-funded US defense-tech company building software-defined effects (Lattice OS, Roadrunner C-UAS, Fury autonomous air vehicle, IVAS simulation) on commercial business models analogous to Metrea's effects-as-a-service thesis. Most credible emerging threat to Metrea's simulation, C-UAS, and counter-UAS revenue lines given Anduril's venture-scale software iteration cadence and political access.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Metrea social profiles
Digital presenceMetrea compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Metrea financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Metrea leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Metrea subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries19 records
Metrea funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Metrea M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Metrea
What does Metrea do?
Metrea delivers "effects-as-a-service" to national security partners, providing commercially owned and operated capabilities across Air, Electromagnetic & Cyber, and Digital & Synthetic domains. Core offerings include commercial air-to-air refueling using the world's only commercially operated KC-135 fleet (18 tankers), Airborne ISR, the FIRESWIFT special mission DHC-8 aerial firefighting aircraft, FAA ODA-approved STC certification engineering, ALPHA28 SI/EW/CE training for Special Operations Forces, the NOR ultimate-fidelity military simulation platform, VESPA counter-UAS drones with FLAMINGO ground control, and LASSO/OLYMPUS mission data software.
Is Metrea a public or private company?
Metrea is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Metrea founded?
Metrea was founded in 2022. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Metrea based?
Metrea is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Metrea make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Effects-as-a-Service Government Contracts are the primary driver. The others are commercial Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) Services, executive Aviation Charter and FBO Services, maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Services, STC, PMA, TSO and Certification Engineering and SI/EW Training Courses and Exercise Support.
Who are Metrea's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AAR Corp, MAG Aerospace, Discovery Air and Berry Aviation. Broad incumbents are Parsons Corporation, CACI International, CAE, FlightSafety International (FSI) and Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). Anduril Industries is listed as an emerging player.
Does Metrea have an API?
No public API is recorded for Metrea.
What industry is Metrea in?
Metrea's product category is Defense and Aerospace Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAMAE, Military Avionics, Mission Computers & Flight Controls, with a secondary code of IMABAIAL, UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure. Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3812.