SWARMER INC. O.N.

Swarmer has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ukrainian UGV maker Ratel Robotics for up to $224 million in cash and stock; the stock rose in premarket trading. The transaction, the first major deal under board chair Erik Prince, is meant to integrate Ratel’s modular unmanned ground vehicles and about 300 employees into Swarmer’s platform and increase the workforce to nearly 500. Ratel will keep founder and CEO Taras Ostapchuk, remains in ongoing talks with NATO, and brought in contracts worth $86 million this year; closing is subject to customary regulatory and shareholder approvals and includes performance-based earn-outs. » Plus sur de.investing.com

Swarmer has signed a definitive acquisition agreement for Ratel Robotics; the purchase price is up to $224 million in cash and stock, contingent on earn‑out targets. Ratel, a maker of modular unmanned ground vehicles with NATO stock numbers (NSNs) and AQAP‑2110 certifications, has secured $86 million of orders this year and is negotiating with several NATO countries under the “Build With Ukraine” initiative. About 300 Ratel employees are expected to join Swarmer, bringing the combined workforce to nearly 500; founder Taras Ostapchuk will remain CEO of Ratel and report to Alex Fink. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory and shareholder approvals. » Plus sur de.investing.com

Swarmer announced a strategic partnership and equity stake in Vectus Air Defense Systems, the air‑defense services provider founded by Erik Prince. The company will work with Vectus on counter‑UAS capabilities, including swarm technology for interceptor drones, and will deliver multilayered air‑defense solutions under multi‑year contracts. Vectus plans to integrate technologies from the US, Ukraine, Israel and other partners and offers an "air‑defense‑as‑a‑service" model; Swarmer provides vendor‑agnostic drone autonomy and cites support for more than 100,000 combat missions in Ukraine since April 2024. » Plus sur de.investing.com

Swarmer shares fell about 8.5% in premarket trading to $39.35 after Q2 figures showed a much larger net loss. Revenue rose to roughly $220,000 (+56.5% YoY), but the net loss widened from about $1.6m to roughly $7.2m, driven by operating expenses rising to around $7.5m. Management cited the expansion of the SkyKnight contract to $14.2m, a cash balance of about $25.3m and over $26m in inflows from the equity line, but declined to provide a revenue forecast, leaving investors exposed and worried about dilution. » Plus sur de.investing.com

Swarmer announced a partnership with Tekmara and Florida International University to evaluate autonomous drone swarms for environmental monitoring and the restoration of mangrove and oyster reef habitats. The research uses the Aquarius Reef Base and examines coordination of autonomous systems in the air, on the water surface and underwater to improve data collection efficiency and scalability. Analysts expect about 28% revenue growth for the year; financials show more cash than debt, while the stock is currently trading above its fair value according to the analysis. Swarmer emphasizes that its vendor‑agnostic software has already been used in combat operations in Ukraine since April 2024. » Plus sur de.investing.com