12 M&A advisors active in San Diego aerospace and defense deals in 2026. Covers defense tech, space, government services, and A&D supply chain with firm profiles and recent deals.
San Diego is one of the top three defense markets in the US. General Atomics, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and L3Harris all operate major programs here.
Kratos Defense acquired Orbit Technologies for $356M in late 2025. Shield AI raised $240M at a $5B valuation the same year.
Buyers in 2026 focus on autonomous systems, drone tech, and mission-critical supply chain. Space and AI-enabled defense draw the fastest deal timelines.
Set up a virtual data room before your first advisor call. Buyers want organized contracts and cleared-personnel records from day one.
| Firm | Deal Type | Deal Size | Sector Focus | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janes Capital Partners | Janes Capital Partners | Both | $25M - $500M | Aerospace, Defense, Space, Government | janescapital.com |
| KippsDeSanto | KippsDeSanto | Both | $50M - $2B | Aerospace, Defense, Government IT | kippsdesanto.com |
| Solomon Partners | Solomon Partners | Both | $100M - $5B | Defense, Mission-Critical Industrials, Space | solomonpartners.com |
| Houlihan Lokey | Houlihan Lokey | Both | $50M - $5B | Defense, Industrials, Government | hl.com |
| William Blair | William Blair | Both | $50M - $2B | Aerospace, Defense Electronics, Space, C5ISR | williamblair.com |
| FOCUS Investment Banking | FOCUS Investment Banking | Both | $10M - $300M | Aerospace, Defense, Government Services | focusbankers.com |
| Mirus Capital Advisors | Mirus Capital Advisors | Sell-side | $10M - $150M | Government, Aerospace, Defense | merger.com |
| Pacifica Advisors | Pacifica Advisors | Both | $20M - $500M | Aerospace, Defense, Government Services | pacificaadvisors.com |
| BGL (Brown Gibbons Lang) | BGL (Brown Gibbons Lang) | Both | $25M - $500M | Aerospace, Defense Supply Chain, Industrials | bglco.com |
| DC Advisory | DC Advisory | Both | $50M - $1B | Aerospace, Defense, Commercial Aviation | dcadvisory.com |
| Objective Investment Banking | Objective Investment Banking | Both | $5M - $300M | Aerospace, Defense, Manufacturing | objectiveibv.com |
| Corporate Finance Associates | Corporate Finance Associates | Both | $10M - $300M | Aerospace, Defense, Government | cfaw.com |
How to verify an advisor's track record
Ask for a closed deal list in A&D. A defense electronics boutique won't reach the same buyers as an aerospace supply chain specialist.
Advisors who know San Diego name General Atomics, Kratos, and L3Harris. Generic defense references won't hold up on a reference call.
Check if they've run processes requiring CFIUS review. San Diego defense companies often sell to foreign-owned entities. That adds months and complexity.
Use Ellty to share financials and cleared-facility disclosures with shortlisted advisors under NDA. You'll see who opens your files first. Browse the San Diego M&A advisors guide for cross-sector context. Read the sell-side due diligence guide to prep before outreach.
Running a San Diego defense deal?
Share defense financials with buyers under NDA. Track who opens them.
Start free 14-day trialHow a San Diego A&D deal runs
San Diego A&D deals close in five to eight months. CFIUS review and security clearance diligence can add three to six months on top.
| Stage | What happens | What you need ready | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Preparation | Stage 1: Preparation | Run QoE, build CIM, shortlist advisors by sub-sector | Three years P&L, contract backlog, facility clearance docs |
| Stage 2: Advisor engagement | Stage 2: Advisor engagement | Sign engagement letter, align on buyer list and CFIUS scope | Cap table, government contracts schedule, IP ownership |
| Stage 3: Marketing | Stage 3: Marketing | CIM sent to buyers, NDAs signed, management meetings set | Ellty data room live with CIM, contracts, and backlog data |
| Stage 4: LOI | Stage 4: LOI | Buyers submit bids, LOIs negotiated, exclusivity signed | Clean revenue data, no open contract disputes |
| Stage 5: Due diligence | Stage 5: Due diligence | Buyer reviews contracts, facility clearances, IP, financials | Full Ellty data room: contracts, clearances, financials, IP |
| Stage 6: Close | Stage 6: Close | Purchase agreement signed, CFIUS cleared, funds transfer | Reps and warranties signed, cleared-facility transfer docs |
12 aerospace and defense M&A advisors in San Diego
These 12 firms advise on A&D M&A in the San Diego region. Coverage spans defense tech, space, government services, and supply chain.
1. Janes Capital Partners
The only pure aerospace and defense investment bank in Southern California, founded in 1997 in Irvine.
Recent Deals: Facilitated the acquisition of Htsmfg by Btxprecision in August 2025. Advised on acquisition of Astro Spar by Cadence Aerospace. Tracked 109 A&D deals in Q1 2025 and 115 in Q2 2025. Active in middle market A&D M&A nationally through 2026.
LinkedIn: Janes Capital Partners LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Aerospace, defense, space, government services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $25M - $500M
Location: Irvine, CA (serves San Diego A&D market)
Website: janescapital.com
2. KippsDeSanto
A defense-specialist bank with 250+ closed transactions and $17B+ in aggregate deal value.
Recent Deals: Facilitated the acquisition of Sev1Tech on February 24, 2026. Published A&D MarketView Q4 2025 and 2025 M&A Survey. Active in aerospace, defense, and government IT M&A through 2026. Recognized specialist for CFIUS-required transactions.
Sector Focus: Aerospace, defense, government IT, mission systems
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M - $2B
Location: McLean, VA (active in San Diego defense)
Website: kippsdesanto.com
3. Solomon Partners
A leading independent advisory firm covering defense supply chain and mission-critical M&A.
Recent Deals: Served as financial advisor on the acquisition of TriMas Aerospace in November 2025. Published Q3 2025 Aerospace and Defense M&A Update. Covers defense supply chain, space, and mission-critical manufacturing. Active in A&D deals from $100M to $5B.
Sector Focus: Defense, space, mission-critical industrials, A&D supply chain
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $100M - $5B
Location: National (active in San Diego defense)
Website: solomonpartners.com
4. Houlihan Lokey
The #1 M&A advisor globally by deal count in 2025, with a dedicated industrials and defense team.
Recent Deals: Advised Applied Aerospace Structures Corporation on its sale. Advised BLR Aerospace and Integral Aerospace on transactions. Ranked #1 globally for M&A transactions under $1B. Advised on 71 global industrials deals in 2025.
Sector Focus: Defense, industrials, government services, mission-critical
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M - $5B
Location: Los Angeles, CA (active in San Diego defense)
Website: hl.com
5. William Blair
A global investment bank with a dedicated aerospace, defense, and government services team.
Recent Deals: Active in A&D M&A covering components, defense electronics, space, and C5ISR through 2025-2026. Covers government IT and MRO businesses nationally. Works with both PE-backed and founder-owned A&D businesses.
Sector Focus: Aerospace components, defense electronics, space, C5ISR, government
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M - $2B
Location: National (active in San Diego A&D)
Website: williamblair.com
Selling a San Diego A&D business?
Set up your data room before your advisor call. Track who opens it.
Start free 14-day trial6. FOCUS Investment Banking
A lower middle market bank with a dedicated aerospace and defense advisory practice.
Recent Deals: Published Aerospace and Defense Industry Report Second Half 2025. Covers A&D businesses with $5M-$300M in revenue nationally. Works with founder-owned and PE-backed defense companies on sell-side transactions. Active through 2025-2026 in government services and defense manufacturing.
Sector Focus: Aerospace, defense, government services, defense manufacturing
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M - $300M
Location: Washington, DC / Los Angeles, CA (serves San Diego)
Website: focusbankers.com
7. Mirus Capital Advisors
A middle market advisor with government, aerospace, and defense as a named practice area.
Recent Deals: Active in government, aerospace, and defense M&A advisory through 2025-2026. Works with businesses in the $10M-$100M revenue range in defense. Covers sell-side, buy-side, and corporate divestiture work. Senior team brings direct industry experience to defense transactions.
Sector Focus: Government, aerospace, defense, mission services
Deal Type: Sell-side
Deal Size: $10M - $150M
Location: National (serves San Diego A&D market)
Website: merger.com
8. Pacifica Advisors
A West Coast advisory firm with aerospace and defense as a named sector focus.
Recent Deals: Active in aerospace and defense M&A advisory on the West Coast through 2025-2026. Covers government services and defense manufacturing companies. Works with founder-owned and PE-backed A&D businesses seeking exits. Well positioned for Southern California defense transactions.
Sector Focus: Aerospace, defense, government services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $20M - $500M
Location: West Coast (active in San Diego)
Website: pacificaadvisors.com
9. BGL (Brown Gibbons Lang)
A middle market bank tracking A&D M&A trends with a defense supply chain focus.
Recent Deals: Published key A&D M&A trends report for 2026 covering supply chain and mission-critical deals. Active in industrials and A&D M&A nationally through 2025-2026. Covers defense supply chain, aerospace components, and mission-critical manufacturing. Works with businesses in the $25M-$500M range.
Sector Focus: Aerospace, defense supply chain, industrials, mission-critical
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $25M - $500M
Location: National (serves San Diego A&D)
Website: bglco.com
10. DC Advisory
An international mid-market bank with commercial aerospace and defense M&A coverage.
Recent Deals: Published insights on M&A taking off in commercial aerospace and defense in 2025-2026. Active in cross-border aerospace and defense transactions. Covers commercial aviation, defense manufacturing, and government services. Works with businesses seeking both US and European strategic buyers.
Sector Focus: Aerospace, defense, commercial aviation, government
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M - $1B
Location: National (serves San Diego A&D)
Website: dcadvisory.com
11. Objective Investment Banking
A San Diego boutique named Best Investment Bank & Valuation Firm 2025 USA.
Recent Deals: Named Best Investment Bank & Valuation Firm 2025 USA. Published Aerospace and Defense Q1 2025 industry report. Completed 500+ M&A engagements nationally through 2025-2026. Covers aerospace, defense, and manufacturing companies in San Diego.
Sector Focus: Aerospace, defense, manufacturing, technology
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $5M - $300M
Location: San Diego, CA
Website: objectiveibv.com
12. Corporate Finance Associates
A national M&A firm with an aerospace, defense, and government practice.
Recent Deals: Active in aerospace, defense, and government M&A advisory nationally through 2025-2026. Covers defense electronics, government services, and aerospace manufacturing. Works with founder-owned and PE-backed A&D businesses. Advises businesses with $10M-$300M in revenue.
Sector Focus: Aerospace, defense, government, manufacturing
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M - $300M
Location: National (active in San Diego A&D)
Website: cfaw.com
Who buys San Diego A&D companies
San Diego draws primes, PE sponsors, and foreign strategic buyers. CFIUS review applies when international acquirers approach cleared facilities.
Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, Raytheon, and General Atomics are all active acquirers in the region. They target supply chain, drone tech, and autonomy platforms.
PE sponsors target government services and defense manufacturing businesses. They move fast on companies with stable contract backlogs and cleared staff.
Use Ellty to share your government contract schedule and financial records with buyer groups separately. Set link permissions so each buyer sees only what their NDA covers. Read the mergers and acquisitions guide for deal structure basics. Check the due diligence guide to prepare your contract files early.
What buyers check in San Diego A&D diligence
Government contract continuity is the first thing buyers check. They want to know which contracts survive a change of control.
Facility security clearances come next. Buyers need to understand clearance level, pending renewals, and any adverse history before LOI.
Key personnel retention matters for cleared-staff businesses. Buyers also check export control compliance and ITAR registrations.
Use Ellty to share contract schedules, clearance docs, and export compliance records in one trackable data room. Analytics show you which buyers reviewed your most sensitive files. See the granular permissions guide to control access by buyer type. Read the startups guide to understand how buyers value tech-enabled defense businesses.
CFIUS and San Diego defense M&A in 2026
CFIUS review is common in San Diego A&D deals. The region's proximity to naval and air force installations draws foreign strategic interest.
San Diego companies with facility clearances, ITAR-controlled tech, or naval proximity face mandatory CFIUS filings when a foreign buyer is involved. That adds three to six months.
Domestic acquirers move faster. PE sponsors and US primes can close without CFIUS unless there's foreign LP involvement in the fund.
Keep your CFIUS filing package ready before LOI. Use Ellty to store and share facility disclosures and clearance docs with your advisor team under watermarked access. See the San Diego life sciences M&A advisors guide for cross-sector deal structure context. Check the investor relations page to understand how to present your business to strategic buyers.
How Ellty helps you close an M&A deal in San Diego
You've picked your San Diego A&D advisor. Set up your data room next. Get buyers reviewing files fast.
- 1.Upload contracts, clearances, and financialsOrganize by type. Defense buyers check contracts and clearances first.
- 2.Set access by buyer type and clearance statusPrimes and PE sponsors need different document packages.
- 3.Track who reviews your key filesSee which buyers open your contract schedule and how long they spend.
Common questions about San Diego aerospace and defense M&A advisors
- Defense tech, autonomous systems, and space draw the most buyer interest. A&D supply chain and government services are also active in 2025-2026.
- Local firms like Objective Investment Banking know regional buyers. National specialists like Janes Capital and KippsDeSanto reach more prime and PE platforms.
- Most deals close in five to eight months. CFIUS review and clearance diligence can add three to six months.
- Government contract continuity and facility clearances come first. Export control compliance and key personnel retention surface in week two.
- Before your first advisor call. Buyers want organized contracts, clearance docs, and financials from day one.
- Janes Capital Partners, Mirus Capital, FOCUS Investment Banking, Objective Investment Banking, and Corporate Finance Associates all work in the lower middle market.
