Simpson Thacher is representing Blackstone in connection with its investment in Shield AI. Shield AI has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Echodyne Corp., an industry-leading radar company, in a transaction valued at $5.3 billion. Shield is raising $2.5 billion to support the transaction, including $1 billion in Series H funding at a $28.8 billion post-money valuation, $500 million in debt financing and a $1 billion structured equity investment from funds managed by Blackstone.
Shield AI is a defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Echodyne, the radar platform company, is a U.S. innovator and manufacturer of advanced radar solutions for defense, government, and commercial sectors.
The Simpson Thacher team includes Michael Chao, Anthony Vernace, Julia Tory, Avery Golombek and Soraia Esteves (M&A); Brian Gluck (Banking and Credit); Jonathan Ozner (Capital Markets); Jonathan Goldstein, Sophie Staples, George Rhein and Roberto Arza (Tax); Gregory Grogan, Jesslyn Nunez and Marie Gesellschap (Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits); Alysha Sekhon and Isabella Gonzalez (Intellectual Property & Privacy); Leah Malone, Matt Feehily and Carina Mitchell (ESG); Peter Guryan, Kelly Karapetyan, Richard Jamgochian and Nathaniel Bronstein (Antitrust); Mick Tuesley, Ryan Stalnaker, Shinae Yoon and Sean Boyle (Regulatory); and Krista McManus (Real Estate).