Sector reports›Aerospace & Defence

sensors, radars, electro-optics, electronic warfare, secure communications

Edition 6 · figures read up to 6 Oct 2026 · 16 listed companies, 8 transactions

EV / Sales 2027Eby company, highest first
Kopin10.7xExosens5.6xMercury Systems4.6xTeledyne Technologies4.3xTheon International Plc3.3xElbit Systems3.1xHENSOLDT3.1xVIGO Photonics3.0xLeonardo DRS2.3xLumibird2.3xL3Harris Technologies2.1xThales1.8xOptex Systems Holdings1.4xIndra Sistemas1.2xMedian 3.1x
EV / EBITDA 2027Eby company, highest first
Elbit Systems24.2xMercury Systems23.3xHENSOLDT19.0xExosens17.1xTeledyne Technologies17.0xLeonardo DRS16.7xVIGO Photonics12.3xTheon International Plc12.1xL3Harris Technologies11.6xThales11.0xLumibird9.8xIndra Sistemas9.1xOptex Systems Holdings7.8xMedian 12.3x

Listed companies (16)

Value (m)Share price2026E2027EOperating
CompanyCcyEnterprise valueEquity valuePrice% of 52-wk highChange, 12 monthsDiv. yieldEV / SalesEV / EBITDAEV / SalesEV / EBITDAP / ENet debt / LTM EBITDASales growth 26–27EEBITDA margin 2027E
BigBear.ai HoldingsUSD––––––––––––––
Elbit Systems Ltd.USD31,61931,730695.6868%–0.6%3.5x28.1x3.1x24.2x39.1x(0.1x)11.5%12.8%
ExosensEUR3,3503,15062.10–––6.3xg19.4xg5.6xe17.1xe–1.3x13.2%ge32.6%e
HENSOLDT AGEUR10,0008,89076.9665%(25%)0.7%3.6x24.1x†3.1x19.0x†31.0x3.2x16.4%16.1%†
Indra Sistemas, S.A.EUR9,45010,40059.4090%58%0.5%1.3x10.7x†1.2x9.1x†18.2x(1.8x)10.6%13.3%†
Kopin CorporationUSD8438674.67–––13.9x–10.7x–––30.3%–
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.USD53,87044,390238.4063%(22%)2.1%2.3x12.5x2.1x11.6x17.6x2.3x6.8%18.4%
Leonardo DRS, Inc.USD9,8109,81036.7673%(19%)1.0%2.5x18.4x2.3x16.7x25.0x0.0x6.8%13.9%
Lumibird SAEUR61052523.80–––2.5x11.3x2.3x9.8x–1.9x9.0%23.2%
Mercury Systems, Inc.USD5,2704,98082.8064%9%–5.1x30.2x4.6x23.3x42.5x2.8x10.9%19.7%
Optex Systems HoldingsUSD67.972.610.45–––1.5xg8.3xg1.4xe7.8xe–(0.6x)6.5%ge18.2%e
Teledyne Technologies IncorporatedUSD30,09028,400612.7088%5%–4.6x18.3x4.3x17.0x22.9x1.1x5.5%25.5%
Thales S.A.EUR46,82046,290225.3081%(13%)1.7%2.0x12.3x†1.8x11.0x†18.1x0.2x8.8%16.5%†
Theon International PlcEUR2,4602,240––––4.1xg15.1xe3.3xe12.1xe–2.0x25.0%ge27.1%e
VIGO PhotonicsPLN531490487.00–––4.0x20.6x3.0x12.3x––32.1%24.8%
Wuhan Guide InfraredCNY48,60048,600––––––––––––
Median71%(14%)0.9%3.6x18.3x3.1x12.3x24.0x1.2x10.8%18.4%

Money in millions of each company’s own currency. e Argonaut’s own estimate · g the company’s guidance · ~ one fiscal year standing for the calendar year · † after capitalised development cost · n.m. not meaningful. No mark: the analysts’ consensus, or a year the company has reported. Appendix A says how each figure was obtained.

Transactions (6 with a multiple)

AnnouncedBuyerTargetStatusCcyEnterprise value (m)Sales LTM (m)EBITDA LTM (m)EV / Sales LTMEV / EBITDA LTMEV / Sales forwardEV / EBITDA forward
29 Sept 2026Greenbriar Equity GroupSpectrum ControlAnnouncedUSDn.d.––––––
17 Aug 2026TTM TechnologiesEpiq SolutionsCompleted 30 Sept 2026USD1,100––––6.9xnext year20.3xnext year, estimate
6 Jul 2026ThalesExail TechnologiesAnnouncedEUR3,9005341227.3x32.0x5.3xnext year, consensus21.4xnext year, consensus
1 Jun 2026Motorola SolutionsD-Fend SolutionsAnnouncedUSD1,500––––8.1xcurrent year–
3 Mar 2026Kraken RoboticsCovelya GroupAnnouncedCAD615on price26263.52.3x9.7x––
13 Feb 2026SafranSyntonyAnnouncedEURn.d.––––––
14 Mar 2022Groupe Gorgé (now Exail Technologies)iXblueCompletedEUR41013827.03.0x15.2x––
4 Jan 2021Teledyne TechnologiesFLIR SystemsCompletedUSD8,0001,924–4.2x–––

Appendix A - the listed companies’ figures, and how each estimate was obtained

Where the EBITDA comes from, in this order of preference: the analysts’ consensus; else the company’s guidance (g); else Argonaut’s own estimate (e). 2026E: consensus 10, guidance 2, Argonaut’s estimate 1, not available 3. 2027E: consensus 10, guidance 0, Argonaut’s estimate 3, not available 3.

CompanyYear endPrice ofEnterprise value isSales (m)How the sales were obtainedEBITDA (m)How the EBITDA was obtainedTo know, and source
BigBear.ai HoldingsNYSE · US · USDDec–not available2026E1502027E1502026E: guidance2027E: Argonaut estimate - the year before held, no growth being known2026E–2027E–not availableSource: BigBear.ai Q4 2025 results release; BigBear.ai 8-K Q2 2025
Elbit Systems Ltd.Nasdaq · US · USDDec1 Oct 2026built2026E9,1102027E10,160consensus2026E1,1252027E1,304consensusprice times shares is 2.5% above the market cap printedSource: StockAnalysis.com - Elbit Systems Ltd. overview, statistics and forecast pages, read 2 October 2026: price, market cap, shares, net debt, consensus; Elbit Systems Q4/FY2025 results press release, 17 March 2026: sales (elbitsystems.com / nasdaq.com); Elbit Systems Form 20-F FY2025: segment revenue from external customers (sec.gov, eslt-20251231); MarketScreener - Elbit Systems Ltd. finances page, read 6 October 2026
ExosensEuronext Paris · FR · EURDec4 Oct 2026as read2026E5302027E6002026E: guidance2027E: Argonaut estimate - projected at +13.2% a year, its growth from the last reported year2026E1732027E1962026E: guidance2027E: Argonaut estimate - its sales at 32.6%, the margin of FY2026 (guidance)Source: StockAnalysis.com - Exosens (EPA:EXENS) Market Cap; Exosens - Full year 2025 results press release; Exosens H1 2026 release (GlobeNewswire); stockopedia.com (undated quote page: price, market cap, EV); exosens.com (incl. net financial debt EUR 197.7m at 31 Dec 2025); live.euronext.com (FY2025 segment revenue)
HENSOLDT AGXetra · DE · EURDec1 Oct 2026as read2026E2,8002027E3,260consensus2026E4162027E526consensus† Less the 100 of development cost capitalised in FY2025 (Geschäftsbericht 2025, note 18).Source: StockAnalysis.com - HENSOLDT AG overview, statistics and forecast pages, read 2 October 2026; HENSOLDT 'Financial year 2025' press release (hensoldt.net); Investing.com - Hensoldt confirms growth path with record orders; Quartr - Hensoldt Q2 2026 summary (FY2026 guidance: margin 18.5-19% midpoint applied to guided revenue EUR 2,750m); MarketScreener - HENSOLDT AG finances page, read 6 October 2026
Indra Sistemas, S.A.Bolsa de Madrid · ES · EURDec1 Oct 2026as read2026E7,0602027E7,810consensus2026E8832027E1,036consensus† Less the 87.7 of development cost capitalised in FY2025 (Consolidated annual accounts 2025, note 9: additions to development expenses; the management report gives 56 for the projects it classes as R&D).Source: StockAnalysis.com - Indra Sistemas, S.A. overview, statistics and forecast pages, read 2 October 2026; reported figures: Indra Group 2025 Results infographic, Feb 2026 (indragroup.com); MarketScreener - Indra Sistemas, S.A. finances page, read 6 October 2026
Kopin CorporationNasdaq · US · USDDec4 Oct 2026built2026E60.72027E79.1consensus2026E–2027E–not availableSource: StockAnalysis.com - Kopin (KOPN) Statistics; StockAnalysis.com - Kopin (KOPN) Stock Forecast & Analyst Price Targets; Kopin - Fourth Quarter 2025 Financial Results; cnbc.com (price, market cap, shares); ca.finance.yahoo.com (total revenue for FY2025 and FY2024); sec.gov; stockanalysis.com (consensus revenue FY2026 and FY2027); sec.gov (Q2 2026 results: cash and cash equivalents $24.3m at 27 June 2026, excluding $26.0m restricted cash
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.NYSE · US · USDDec1 Oct 2026as read2026E23,6102027E25,210consensus2026E4,3052027E4,639consensusSource: StockAnalysis.com - L3Harris Technologies, Inc. overview, statistics and forecast pages, read 2 October 2026; reported figures: L3Harris Q4/FY2025 results press release, 29 Jan 2026 (investors.l3harris.com); L3Harris - Q4/FY2025 earnings release Ex.99.1 (SEC); segments: L3Harris Q4/FY2025 results press release (businesswire.com / morningstar.com, 29 Jan 2026); MarketScreener - L3Harris Technologies, Inc. finances page, read 6 October 2026
Leonardo DRS, Inc.Nasdaq · US · USDDec1 Oct 2026as read2026E3,9502027E4,220consensus2026E5322027E588consensusSource: StockAnalysis.com - Leonardo DRS, Inc. overview, statistics and forecast pages, read 2 October 2026; Leonardo DRS press release 'Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025' (investors.leonardodrs.com); SEC - Leonardo DRS Q2 2026 earnings press release; MarketScreener - Leonardo DRS, Inc. finances page, read 6 October 2026
Lumibird SAEuronext Paris · FR · EURDec4 Oct 2026built2026E2452027E267consensus2026E54.02027E62.0consensusSource: StockAnalysis.com - Lumibird (EPA:LBIRD) Stock Price & Overview; Actusnews - Lumibird 2025 annual results; Actusnews - Lumibird H1 2026 results; boursorama.com / webdisclosure.fr Lumibird FY2025 results (2026-03-10); actusnews.com FY2025 sales (2026-01-26); boursorama.com (price 2026-10-04; consensus as of 2026-09-29); stockanalysis.com (net debt: debt 146.19 less cash 61.70, page updated 2026-09-16)
Mercury Systems, Inc.Nasdaq · US · USDJun6 Oct 2026as read2026E1,0372027E1,1502026E: consensus, calendarised - 6/12 of FY to Jun 2026 (984, reported) and 6/12 of FY to Jun 2027 (1,090)2027E: consensus, calendarised - 6/12 of FY to Jun 2027 (1,090) and 6/12 of FY to Jun 2028 (1,210)2026E1752027E2262026E: consensus, calendarised - 6/12 of FY to Jun 2026 (150, reported) and 6/12 of FY to Jun 2027 (199)2027E: consensus, calendarised - 6/12 of FY to Jun 2027 (199) and 6/12 of FY to Jun 2028 (253)Source: StockAnalysis.com - Mercury Systems (MRCY) Statistics, read 8 October 2026: share price USD 82.80 at close 6 October 2026, market cap USD 4.98B, enterprise value USD 5.27B, shares 60.14M - stockanalysis.com; StockAnalysis.com - MRCY Stock Forecast; SEC - Mercury 8-K exhibit 99.1 FY2026; Yahoo Finance - Mercury Q4 call (FY2027 adjusted EBITDA close to USD 200M); StockAnalysis.com - Mercury Systems, Inc. overview, statistics and forecast pages, read 2 October 2026; MarketScreener - Mercury Systems, Inc. finances page, read 6 October 2026
Optex Systems HoldingsNasdaq · US · USDSep2 Oct 2026as read2026E44.72027E47.62026E: guidance, calendarised - 9/12 of FY to Sep 2026 (44.0) and 3/12 of FY to Sep 2027 (46.9, projected at +6.5% a year, its growth from the last reported year)2027E: Argonaut estimate, calendarised - 9/12 of FY to Sep 2027 (46.9) and 3/12 of FY to Sep 2028 (49.9), each projected at +6.5% a year, its growth from the last reported year2026E8.12027E8.72026E: guidance, calendarised - 9/12 of FY to Sep 2026 (8.0) and 3/12 of FY to Sep 2027 (8.5, its sales at 18.2%, the margin of FY to Sep 2026 (guidance))2027E: Argonaut estimate, calendarised - 9/12 of FY to Sep 2027 (8.5) and 3/12 of FY to Sep 2028 (9.1), each its sales at 18.2%, the margin of FY to Sep 2026 (guidance)Source: StockAnalysis.com - Optex Systems Holdings (OPXS) Statistics; Optex Systems FY2025 financial highlights; SEC - Optex Systems 8-K Ex.99.1, Fiscal Q3 2026 results; stockanalysis.com (close 2 Oct 2026: price, market cap, EV, shares, net cash 4.69M), read 2026-10-04; ir.stockpr.com; investing.com (reported figures as held); forecasts re-read 2026-10-07: sec.gov (Q3 FY2026 release, 11 Aug 2026: FY2026 revenue guidance $43-45M reiterated, Adjusted EBITDA $7.5-8.5M; there is no later revision and no FY2027 guidance); segments: FY2025 Form 10-K sec.gov
Teledyne Technologies IncorporatedNYSE · US · USDDec1 Oct 2026as read2026E6,5602027E6,920consensus2026E1,6432027E1,768consensusSource: StockAnalysis.com - Teledyne Technologies Incorporated overview, statistics and forecast pages, read 2 October 2026; Teledyne Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings release, 21 January 2026 (SEC 8-K exhibit and Business Wire); Teledyne FY2025 Form ARS, Note 4 Business Segments; MarketScreener - Teledyne Technologies Incorporated finances page, read 6 October 2026
Thales S.A.Euronext Paris · FR · EURDec1 Oct 2026as read2026E23,8302027E25,920consensus2026E3,8152027E4,274consensus† Less the 20.5 of development cost capitalised in FY2025 (Document d'enregistrement universel 2025, note 4.2).Source: StockAnalysis.com - Thales S.A. overview, statistics and forecast pages, read 2 October 2026; reported figures: Thales 2025 full-year results press release, 3 Mar 2026 (thalesgroup.com); MarketScreener - Thales S.A. finances page, read 6 October 2026
Theon International PlcEuronext Amsterdam · NL · EURDec1 Oct 2026as read2026E6002027E7502026E: guidance2027E: Argonaut estimate - projected at +25.0% a year, its growth from the last reported year held to the most a projection may take2026E1622027E203Argonaut estimate - its sales at 27.1%, the margin of the last reported year (FY2025)Source: StockAnalysis.com - Theon International (AMS:THEON) Statistics; Theon - FY 2025 Preliminary Results; Investegate - Theon International Plc, Publication of H1 2026 Report; stockanalysis.com (market cap and EV as of 1 Oct 2026); theon.com (FY2025/FY2024 figures, FY2026 guidance); net debt EUR 237.9m at 30 June 2026: THEON Publication of H1 2026 Report, 7 September 2026 via.ritzau.dk
VIGO PhotonicsWarsaw Stock Exchange · PL · PLNDec4 Oct 2026as read2026E1322027E175consensus2026E25.82027E43.3consensusSource: StockAnalysis.com - VIGO Photonics (WSE:VGO) Stock Price & Overview; VIGO Photonics - FY2025 revenue estimate; VIGO Photonics - Record H1 2026 results release; MarketScreener - VIGO Photonics Financial Data Forecasts; stockopedia.com; biznes.pap.pl; net debt re-read attempted 2026-10-07 (H1 2026 report on bankier.pl, vigophotonics.com): neither gave a net debt figure, so left null; the EV given by the source is kept
Wuhan Guide InfraredShenzhen Stock Exchange · CN · CNYDec5 Oct 2026built, net debt unknown2026E–2027E–not available2026E–2027E–not availableSource: Alpha Spread; Investing.com; Quartr; PitchBook - Wuhan Guide Infrared profile

Appendix B - the transactions in detail

AnnouncedTransactionValue, multiples and sourceEditor’s note
29 Sept 2026Greenbriar Equity Group / Spectrum ControlRF and microwave components, EMI filters and signal-conversion modules for radar, communications and satellites; terms not disclosed, more than USD 1.8bn according to BloombergSeller: AEA InvestorsAnnouncedNo public value.Sets no multiple: a price without a public figure of the target, a figure without a price, or the parties alone.Source: Private Equity Professional, October 2026 - peprofessional.com; Private Equity Wire relaying Bloomberg for the priceA sale from one private-equity owner to another. The parties did not disclose the price: more than USD 1.8bn is a Bloomberg report relayed by the trade press. About 1,100 staff at 13 sites; closing is expected in the first quarter of 2027.
17 Aug 2026TTM Technologies / Epiq SolutionsSoftware-defined radios, RF products and radiation-tolerant space computing for signals intelligence and electronic warfare; about USD 160m of 2027 revenue expectedSeller: Veritas CapitalCompleted 30 Sept 2026Enterprise value USD 1,100m: the buyer's figure.The forward figures (next year): the 2027 revenue TTM Technologies expects of Epiq, about USD 160m, as its management gave it on the acquisition call of 17 August 2026 - the year after the announcement; EBITDA worked back from TTM's own multiple: USD 1,100m over 17.4 is USD 63.2m with synergies, and USD 54.2m without the USD 9m of run-rate synergies it counts - 34% of that revenue, against margins in the mid-30% range on the callMultiple as stated (next year): 17.4x CY2027E adjusted EBITDA after USD 9m of run-rate synergiesSource: TTM Technologies press release, 17 August 2026 - investors.ttm.com; its acquisition call of the same day, for the revenue and the margin, as Yahoo Finance relayed it - finance.yahoo.comAll cash, announced and completed in about six weeks. TTM Technologies gives one multiple, 17.4x, a next year multiple, on 2027 adjusted EBITDA, and it already counts USD 9m of run-rate synergies. With the synergies taken out, the price is a next year multiple of about 20.3x EBITDA, an estimate worked back from TTM's two figures. On its acquisition call TTM gave about USD 160m of revenue expected in 2027, with EBITDA margins in the mid-30% range, which agrees with that estimate: a next year multiple of 6.9x revenue.
6 Jul 2026Thales / Exail TechnologiesNavigation systems and maritime robotics; EUR 134.00 per share, a 44% premium to the undisturbed priceSeller: The Gorgé family (a 35.51% block), then a tender offer for all the sharesAnnouncedEnterprise value EUR 3,900m: the buyer's figure.The twelve months: LTM to 2026-06-30 - the twelve months to 30 June 2026, from Exail's own reports: fiscal 2025 revenue of EUR 479m and current EBITDA of EUR 103m, plus the first half of 2026, EUR 275m and EUR 63m, less the first half of 2025, EUR 220.3m and EUR 44m; the first-half 2026 EBITDA is the figure Exail gave on 14 September 2026, ahead of its half-year reportThe forward figures (next year): analysts' consensus for 2027 as MarketScreener printed it on 7 October 2026, revenue of EUR 731.5m and EBITDA of EUR 182.2m - the year after the announcement; neither Thales nor Exail gives a figure for that yearMultiple as stated (next year): about 24x EV / 2027E EBIT after cost synergies, about 20x after cost and revenue synergies - EBIT, not EBITDASource: Thales press release, 6 July 2026 (copy on MarketScreener) - marketscreener.com; Exail Technologies' 2025 annual results, 18 March 2026 - webdisclosure.com; its first-half 2025 results - webdisclosure.com; its second-quarter 2026 revenue - exail-technologies.com; its announcement of 14 September 2026 for the first-half 2026 EBITDA, as TipRanks relayed it - tipranks.com; MarketScreener's consensus for Exail, read 7 October 2026 - marketscreener.comSafran announced exclusive talks at EUR 128.50 per share on 26 June 2026 and ended them on 3 July; Thales signed at EUR 134.00 three days later. Thales states its multiples on EBIT after synergies only, and as next year multiples, on 2027. On Exail's own figures for the twelve months to June 2026, current EBITDA of EUR 122m, the price is an LTM multiple of about 32x EBITDA; on fiscal 2025 alone, EUR 103m, it was an LTM multiple of about 38x. On the analysts' consensus for 2027, EBITDA of EUR 182m, it is a next year multiple of about 21x. The block is expected to close in the third quarter of 2027 and the tender offer by early 2028.
1 Jun 2026Motorola Solutions / D-Fend SolutionsCounter-drone systems that take control of hostile drones by radio (Israel); USD 1.5bn in cash, about USD 185m of 2026 revenue expectedSeller: Its founders and investors, Vertex Israel, Claridge and Israel Growth Partners among themAnnouncedEnterprise value USD 1,500m: the buyer's figure.The forward figures (current year): the 2026 revenue Motorola Solutions expects of D-Fend, about USD 185m, as its announcement gave it - the year of the announcement; no EBITDA publishedSource: Motorola Solutions' announcement of 1 June 2026, as Globes quotes it - en.globes.co.il; Quartz, 1 June 2026 - finance.yahoo.comUSD 1.5bn in cash for a company whose revenue Motorola Solutions expects at about USD 185m in 2026, after growth of more than 50% a year: a current year multiple of 8.1x revenue. No EBITDA was given; Globes describes the company as profitable. Closing is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
3 Mar 2026Kraken Robotics / Covelya GroupUnderwater navigation, positioning, communication and imaging for uncrewed maritime systems, about 750 staff; total consideration of CAD 480m in cash and CAD 135m in shares, no enterprise value statedSeller: Sonardyne Holdings LimitedAnnouncedEnterprise value CAD 615m: the price of the equity, net debt unknown; the multiples are on price.The twelve months: LTM to 2025-12-31 - the 2025 expected ranges stated by Kraken at their midpoints (sales CAD 249-275m, adjusted EBITDA CAD 60-67m)Source: Kraken Robotics press release, 3 March 2026 - krakenrobotics.comCAD 135m of the CAD 615m is paid in Kraken shares. Kraken states neither an enterprise value nor a multiple: the EBITDA multiple computed here is an LTM multiple, the total consideration over the midpoint of a range expected for 2025, the year just ended at the announcement, so it is approximate, between about 9x and 10x.
13 Feb 2026Safran / SyntonyResilient positioning and navigation: GNSS receivers, anti-jam antennas and software-defined radio, nearly 70 staff; price not disclosedAnnouncedNo public value.Sets no multiple: a price without a public figure of the target, a figure without a price, or the parties alone.Source: Safran press release, 13 February 2026 - safran-group.comA small technology acquisition by Safran Electronics & Defense in resilient positioning and navigation, with GNSS receivers for low Earth orbit satellites. No price or revenue figure was disclosed; Safran gave its 2025 revenue only as below EUR 10m. No document found states its completion.
14 Mar 2022Groupe Gorgé (now Exail Technologies) / iXblueCompletedEnterprise value EUR 410m: the buyer's figure.The twelve months: LTM to 2021-12-31 - last reported year (FY2021)Source: Groupe Gorgé closing release; Actusnews; Option Finance–
4 Jan 2021Teledyne Technologies / FLIR SystemsCompletedEnterprise value USD 8,000m: the buyer's figure.The twelve months: LTM to 2020-12-31 - FLIR's FY2020 revenue from its Q4/FY2020 resultsSource: Teledyne Form 8-K joint news release and presentation 'Teledyne to Acquire FLIR Systems', 4 January 2021: price, enterprise value; FLIR Systems Q3 2020 and Q4/FY2020 results (Form 8-K Ex.99.1): revenue; Teledyne Form 424B3 joint proxy statement/prospectus: shares–

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