What Metrea LLC does

Metrea LLC (founded 2016, formerly Meta Aerospace, rebranded October 2022) is a Washington DC-based commercial defense services company operating an "effects-as-a-service" model across three mission domains: Air, Electromagnetic & Cyber, and Digital & Synthetic. The Air domain encompasses Airborne ISR (170,000+ flight hours), air-to-air refueling via the world's largest commercial KC-135 fleet (18 aircraft), aerial firefighting (FIRESWIFT platform), advanced rotary wing training, and FAA-certified aircraft modification engineering (43+ STCs, ODA authorization). The Electromagnetic & Cyber domain delivers Signals Intelligence, Electronic Warfare, and Cyber Enablement training (ALPHA28), SIGINT equipment manufacturing, and mission data services. The Digital & Synthetic domain provides physics-based simulation (NOR platform with TACNOR/OPNOR variants), mission data processing (OLYMPUS), space domain awareness (LASSO), counter-UAS threat emulation (VESPA/FLAMINGO), and multi-source data fusion analytics.

The company generates revenue primarily through long-term service contracts with defense ministries, military services, and intelligence agencies (US Navy/USAF/USMC via NAVAIR, Indian Air Force, German Air Force, Australian Government, Five Eyes intelligence community, Frontex), with secondary revenue from executive aviation charter and MRO services. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; all contracts flow through government procurement processes and direct bilateral agreements. Metrea distributes exclusively via direct sales engagement with government customers, supported by participation in defense industry events (Royal International Air Tattoo) and industry partnerships.

Metrea operates as a private company structured around 25+ wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Metrea Special Aerospace, Metrea Strategic Mobility, Metrea Mission Data, Metrea Simulations, Metrea Aerospace Design (formerly Peregrine Avionics), Metrea Algorithmics (formerly Markpoint Technologies), Metrea Spectrum Operations, and Intellic Technologies. The company maintains offices in 16+ cities across the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Australia, Singapore, and the Philippines, with global operational reach across multiple allied defense markets.

Name

Metrea LLC

Legal name

Meta Aerospace Management LLC d/b/a Metrea Management

Website

https://metrea.aero

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Metrea LLC is a Washington DC-based commercial defense services company providing effects-as-a-service across air, electromagnetic/cyber, and digital/synthetic domains to allied national security partners, operating the world's largest commercial KC-135 aerial refueling fleet and proprietary simulation, ISR, and counter-UAS platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense & Aerospace Services

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Satellite Telecommunications (5174), Security Systems Services (56162)

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Military ISR, EW & SIGINT Payloads (Airborne) (IMABAMAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Military Aerospace Communications, Datalinks & Networking (IMABAMAK), UAS Communications, Datalinks, SATCOM & Remote Control Systems (IMABAIAJ), UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL), Enterprise Satellite Connectivity & Managed Services (VSAT, SD-WAN over Satcom) (HDAIAJAB)

Keywords

• Aerial refueling services
• Military training simulation
• Signals intelligence training
• Airborne ISR services
• Aerial firefighting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Effects-as-a-Service Contracts: Metrea delivers comprehensive, vertically integrated solutions as ongoing services to national security partners. Customers access capabilities on a service basis with true agility - solutions can be turned on/off and scaled up/down as requirements change. The model incentivizes continuous innovation and effectiveness gains.
2. Air-to-Air Refueling Services: Commercial aerial refueling services provided to military customers including US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Air Force, NATO and allied nations. Contracted through NAVAIR and direct agreements with foreign air forces. Services include boom refueling and MPRS pod refueling.
3. Airborne ISR Services: Turnkey Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (AISR) solutions delivered by experienced former military pilots, ISR sensor operators and specialized maintenance teams deployed globally.
4. Training and Simulation Services: Signals Intelligence/Electronic Warfare training, military exercise support, and simulation services including custom exercise design and scenario role-playing.
5. Aircraft STC Engineering and Certification: FAA and internationally approved Supplemental Type Certification solutions, avionics integration, and Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) engineering approvals for aircraft modifications.
6. Executive Aviation Services: Comprehensive aircraft management including FAA-authorized MRO capabilities, bespoke charter solutions (executive, medical, cargo), and operational support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Metrea delivers "effects-as-a-service" to national security partners through vertically integrated capabilities spanning three domains: Air (commercial air-to-air refueling using the 5th largest tanker fleet globally, Airborne ISR, special mission aviation, aerial firefighting via FIRESWIFT, advanced rotary wing training, FAA STC engineering and ODA certification, executive aviation); Electromagnetic & Cyber (ALPHA28 SI/EW/Cyber Enablement training and operational support, secure communications and EW products); and Digital & Synthetic (NOR military simulation platform with TACNOR/OPNOR variants, OLYMPUS mission data system, LASSO Space Domain Awareness, Data Fusion & Analytics, plus counter-UAS threat emulation via VESPA drone and FLAMINGO ground control software). Services are delivered on a commercial service model enabling customers to scale capabilities up/down on demand, with the company owning the full stack from design and engineering through testing, operating and field delivery.

Product overview

Metrea LLC operates as a provider of 'effects-as-a-service' solutions across three primary domains: Air, Electromagnetic & Cyber, and Digital & Synthetic. The Air Domain includes airborne ISR, aerial firefighting (FIRESWIFT), air-to-air refueling services, and aircraft engineering/certification. The Electromagnetic & Cyber domain offers ALPHA28 training programs and electronic warfare products. The Digital & Synthetic domain centers on the NOR simulation platform (with TACNOR and OPNOR variants), OLYMPUS mission support, LASSO space domain awareness, and Data Fusion analytics. The portfolio is delivered through multiple subsidiary brands including Metrea Aerospace Design, Metrea Executive Aviation, Metrea Spectrum Operations, and others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ALPHA28: Industry standard for tactical Signals Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Cyber Enablement (SI/EW/CE) training and direct operational support to Special Operations Forces, with over 11 years of experience and 400 years of combined experience in SI/EW and SOF Cyber.
• FIRESWIFT
• NOR
• OLYMPUS
• LASSO
• VESPA
• FLAMINGO
• Spectrum Operations

Products and services

• Airborne ISR (AISR) Integrated turnkey Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (AISR) solutions delivered by experienced former military pilots, ISR sensor operators and specialized maintenance teams deployed globally to austere, remote locations for defense partners.
• Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) Commercial air-to-air refueling services using the 18-aircraft KC-/C-135FR/RG fleet (world's largest commercial aerial refueling fleet), including boom refueling and Multi-Point Refueling System (MPRS) pod refueling, contracted through NAVAIR and direct bilateral agreements with allied air forces.
• Aerial Firefighting (FIRESWIFT) Advanced aerial firefighting solution on the DHC-8 aircraft combining precision drop capabilities with EO/IR surveillance and Starlink BLOS communications for wildfire detection, targeting and engagement; features short take-off and landing for rapid redeployment.
• Special Mission Aviation (Special Mobility) Rapid, custom, discreet and reliable air and ground mobility solutions flown by security-cleared personnel, deployed to forward locations and operated in geopolitical hotspots and austere expeditionary environments.
• Advanced Tactical Rotary Wing Training Advanced rotary wing training services and support to the U.S. DoD, NATO, Partner Nations and Law Enforcement, delivered by former Army Special Operations Aviation and Special Mission Units instructors.
• Aircraft STC Engineering and ODA Certification FAA and internationally approved Supplemental Type Certification solutions, avionics integration and Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) engineering approvals for aircraft modifications, backed by a portfolio of 43+ STCs covering 200+ aircraft types and 750+ aircraft models.
• Executive Aviation Full life cycle aircraft management including FAA-authorized MRO capabilities, bespoke charter solutions (executive, medical, cargo) and comprehensive operational support for private aviation customers.
• Signals Intelligence / Electronic Warfare / Cyber Training & Operations (ALPHA28 / Metrea Spectrum Operations) Industry-standard Signals Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Cyber Enablement (SI/EW/CE) training and direct operational support to Special Operations Forces, including custom exercise design and scenario role-playing for U.S. government ISR operations overseas.
• NOR Platform Military Simulation Ultimate-fidelity physics-based military simulation platform with Tactical NOR (TACNOR) for immersive cockpit simulations and Operational NOR (OPNOR) for large-scale high-fidelity combat operations simulations, used by analysts to optimize force structures and mission sets.
• VESPA / FLAMINGO Counter-UAS Threat Emulation C-UAS Testing, Training and Evaluation (T3E) services using the VESPA specialized complex adversarial drone platform (capable of replicating advanced enemy tactics including coordinated swarms and GNSS-denied operations) and the FLAMINGO proprietary ground control software for planning and executing repeatable advanced flight profiles including swarming behaviors.

Quantifiable outcome

• >93% mission reliability rate since late 2021
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, notable and flagship.

• Intellic TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2025Acquisition of Intellic Technologies, a company specializing in fire modeling, simulation, and virtual reality tactical training for aerial firefighting. Integration of FS3D simulator into NOR platform.
• Peregrine Avionics LLC (now Metrea Aerospace Design)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2024Addition of Peregrine Avionics providing FAA Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) capability for self-certification of aircraft designs and modifications. Based in Denver, Colorado.
• French Air and Space ForcesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2024Acquisition of the French Air and Space Forces KC-/C-135 aerial refueling fleet including 14 tankers (11 KC-/C-135FR transferred June 2024, 3 KC-135RG at future date). Fleet served French armed forces for over 60 years.
• Markpoint Technologies LLC (now Metrea Algorithmics)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2023Addition of Markpoint Technologies specializing in wireless reconnaissance and surveillance, cyber operations, agile development, analytics and visualization technologies for DoD customers. Based in Maryland.
• Frontex (European Border and Coast Guard Agency)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAir Adversarial Testing Campaign for Phase 2 of the C-UAS Solutions Prize Contest, testing counter-drone systems at Alcochete Field Firing Range near Lisbon, Portugal.
• US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary contract vehicle for commercial aerial refueling support covering US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Air Force, and NATO/Allied nations requirements.
• Australian Government / Department of Home Affairs / Australian Border ForcemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContract for advanced aerial surveillance services supporting border protection. Metrea to scale local operations for sovereign delivery.
• Indian Air ForcemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContract for air-to-air refueling training with Flight Refueler Aircraft based at Indian Air Force Station Agra in Central India.
• German Air Force (Luftwaffe)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerial refueling training for Tornado and Eurofighter fleets. Pacific Skies exercise enabled record-breaking 10.5-hour Eurofighter flight from Japan to Hawaii.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• AAR Corp: Provider of aviation services including MRO, parts supply, and integrated solutions to commercial and government customers. Adjacent comparable for Metrea Executive Aviation MRO and special mission aviation services.

Broad incumbents

• CACI International: Defense and intelligence services provider with significant SIGINT, EW, and cyber training practices serving DoD and intelligence community. Comparable to Metrea Spectrum Operations and Metrea Algorithmics in mission areas and customer set.
• L3Harris Technologies: Major defense prime with extensive portfolio in electronic warfare, SIGINT, secure communications, and intelligence solutions. Overlaps with Metrea's Electromagnetic & Cyber domain and signals intelligence/electronic warfare products and ALPHA28 training.
• Textron Aviation / Textron Systems: Major aviation and defense manufacturer with special mission aircraft and airborne ISR platforms. Comparable to Metrea's Airborne ISR service line and FIRESWIFT special mission aviation capability.
• Northrop Grumman: Major defense prime with ISR, electronic warfare, and C-UAS capabilities across airborne, space, and ground domains. Overlaps with Metrea's Airborne ISR (including platforms like MQ-4C Triton) and electromagnetic/cyber domain offerings.
• Leidos: Large defense services and IT integrator serving DoD, intelligence community, and federal civilian agencies. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering multi-domain capabilities to similar national security customers as Metrea.

Direct peers

• General Atomics: Manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems (MQ-9 Reaper) and provider of UAS-based ISR and C-UAS solutions. Comparable to Metrea in the drone/C-UAS space (VESPA/FLAMINGO) and airborne ISR mission area.
• CAE Inc. Canadian-based provider of simulation and training solutions for defense, civil aviation, and healthcare. Directly comparable to Metrea's NOR simulation platform (TACNOR/OPNOR) and ALPHA28 SI/EW training programs in serving military training customers.
• Sierra Nevada Corporation: Privately-held defense electronics and integrator specializing in SIGINT, EW, IR/CMDS, and special mission aircraft. Closely comparable to Metrea in EW/SIGINT products, advanced signals, and tactical mission support to special operations forces.
• Omega Aerial Refueling Services: Provider of commercial aerial refueling services to military and government customers. Direct competitor to Metrea's KC-135-based air-to-air refueling business, operating similar boom and probe-and-drogue refueling capabilities for allied defense customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metreaaero

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries27 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Metrea LLC