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31. July 2026
Leonardo Drs Seals Deal For 450 Million Acquisition Of Innovative Software Firm Raft
The Acquisition of Raft by Leonardo DRS: A Strategic Move to Enhance Mission Capabilities
In a move that promises to accelerate the integration of hardware, software, data, and autonomy in support of mission outcomes, Leonardo DRS has announced its acquisition of software company Raft. The all-cash transaction valued at $450 million is set to further solidify the company’s position as a leading provider of AI-enabled mission solutions.
The deal was met with enthusiasm from both parties, with John Baylouny, president and chief executive officer of Leonardo DRS, hailing the acquisition as a strategic move that will build on the organic investment the company has made in evolving its capabilities. “Our customers increasingly require integrated hardware, software, data, and autonomy to support mission outcomes,” Baylouny said in a press release. “Raft will bring its expertise in open architecture mission software to the table, which is particularly relevant given its involvement in the Army’s Next Generation Command and Control prototype effort in the Pacific with the 25th Infantry Division.”
Raft, founded in 2018, specializes in open architecture mission software that fuses various data streams to support multidomain operations and faster decision making for commanders. The company’s expertise in this area is set to play a major role as part of the Army’s initiative, and its involvement in the Pacific extends beyond its support for the Army and its C2 efforts, also encompassing the Air Force and Pacific Air Forces.
“We’re excited to join forces with DRS and bring our expertise in open-architecture platform development to accelerate the delivery of mission capability at a global scale,” said Shubhi Mishra, founder and chief executive officer of Raft. “Our platform was built to integrate across systems, not lock customers in, and pairing it with DRS’s sensing and computing franchises will enable us to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers.”
The acquisition comes as Leonardo DRS is actively seeking opportunities to enhance its capabilities and expand its reach into new markets. In a recent interview, Baylouny hinted at the company’s strategic plans, indicating that it is open to acquiring companies to fill technology gaps or enhance its solutions with additional capabilities such as AI.
“There’s a lot of different opportunities — and I’m not saying structural gaps — but how do we enhance, go to an adjacency?” Baylouny said. “So technology gaps, customer gaps, like you talked about — can we get more Air Force [work]? It’s not an imperative, but could we open our solutions to those channels? Or geographic gaps as well. Can I get to a different part of the world by bringing an acquisition to the table? And we’re active here, it’s just, it’s not our focus. Our focus is organic. But we are active, looking for inorganic as well.”
The acquisition of Raft marks a significant milestone in Leonardo DRS’s efforts to solidify its position as a leader in the development and delivery of AI-enabled mission solutions. By integrating the expertise of Raft into its existing capabilities, the company is poised to accelerate its ability to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of its customers.
As Canada Unveils Cutting-Edge Defense Partnership: UAV Pioneers Join Forces continues to strengthen its alliances and partnerships, companies like Leonardo DRS and Raft are well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. The acquisition of Raft is a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and its dedication to delivering cutting-edge solutions that meet the needs of its customers.
With the acquisition now complete, it remains to be seen how the combined entity will leverage its capabilities to drive growth and expansion in the market. One thing is certain, however: Leonardo DRS has taken a significant step forward in its efforts to enhance its mission capabilities, and Raft’s expertise and open-architecture platform are set to play a key role in this endeavor.
The acquisition provides an opportunity for UK Startup Online Oceans Raises £4 Million to Fuel Autonomous Maritime Revolution and other autonomous defense innovators to tap into Leonardo DRS’s vast resources and expertise, ultimately driving innovation in the maritime domain.
The future of AI-enabled mission solutions looks bright, with companies like Leonardo DRS and Raft poised to drive innovation and expansion in the market. As Marine Vessels Get a Boost with RAD Propulsion’s Groundbreaking Autonomy System continue to push the boundaries of autonomous technology, the acquisition of Raft by Leonardo DRS will further solidify its position as a leader in this field.
In conclusion, the acquisition of Raft by US Army Taps Anduril for Advanced Command System is a strategic move that promises to accelerate the integration of hardware, software, data, and autonomy in support of mission outcomes. By combining the expertise of Raft with its existing capabilities, the company is poised to drive innovation and expansion in the market.