New Horizon Aircraft Valuation Multiples

Palantir is an artificial intelligence, analytics, and automated decision-making company that leverages data to drive efficiency across its clients' organizations. The firm serves commercial and government clients via its Foundry and Gotham platforms, respectively. Palantir works only with entities in Western-allied nations and reserves the right not to work with anyone that is antithetical to Western values. The company was founded in 2003 and went public in 2020.

GE Aerospace is the global leader in designing, manufacturing, and servicing commercial aircraft turbine engines, along with partner Safran in their CFM joint venture. With its massive global installed base of nearly 80,000 commercial and military engines, GE Aerospace earns most of its profits on recurring service revenue of that equipment, which operates for decades. GE Aerospace is the remaining core business of the company formed in 1892 with historical ties to American inventor Thomas Edison; that company became a storied conglomerate with peak revenue of $130 billion in 2000 until GE spun off its appliance, finance, healthcare, and wind and power businesses between 2016 and 2024.

RTX is an aerospace and defense manufacturer formed from the merger of United Technologies and Raytheon, with roughly equal exposure across three segments, mostly as a supplier to commercial aerospace and to the defense market: Collins Aerospace, a diversified aerospace supplier; Pratt & Whitney, a commercial and military aircraft engine manufacturer; and Raytheon, a defense prime contractor providing a mix of missiles, missile defense systems, sensors, hardware, and communications technology to the military.

Boeing is a major aerospace and defense firm operating in three segments: commercial airplanes; defense, space, and security; and global services. Boeing's commercial airplanes segment competes with Airbus in the production of aircraft that can carry more than 130 passengers. Boeing's defense, space, and security segment competes with defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to create military aircraft, satellites, and weaponry. Global services provides aftermarket support to airlines.

Airbus is a global aerospace and defense firm that designs, develops, and manufactures commercial and military jets and helicopters, as well as space launch vehicles and satellites. The company operates three divisions: commercial, defense and space, and helicopters. Commercial offers multiple configurations of aircraft ranging from the narrow-body (120-200 seats) A220 and A320 series to the much larger A330 and A350 wide-body models. The defense and space segment supplies governments with military hardware, including transport aircraft, aerial tankers, and the Eurofighter Typhoon multirole jet. The helicopter division manufactures turbine helicopters for the civil and public markets.

Rolls-Royce operates three core business segments: civil aerospace, power systems, and defense. The civil aerospace segment builds engines powering wide-body aircraft, regional and business jets, and offers aftermarket services. Twenty years ago, the firm pioneered full-service flight hour contracts with the TotalCare package. Power systems provides power solutions to multiple end markets (defense, agriculture, marine, and power generation) while the defense business provides military, ground vehicle and naval propulsion solutions.

Lockheed Martin is the world's largest defense contractor and has dominated the Western market for high-end fighter aircraft since it won the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program in 2001. Aeronautics is Lockheed’s largest segment, which derives upward of two-thirds of its revenue from the F-35. Lockheed’s remaining segments are rotary and mission systems, mainly encompassing the Sikorsky helicopter business; missiles and fire control, which creates missiles and missile defense systems; and space systems, which produces satellites and receives equity income from the United Launch Alliance joint venture.

Howmet Aerospace Inc offers engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. The company's products and solutions include investment castings for jet engines and industrial gas turbines; seamless rolled rings for jet engines; fastening systems for aerospace, industrial and commercial transportation applications; forged jet engine components (e.g., jet engine disks); machined and forged aircraft parts; and forged aluminum commercial vehicle wheels, all of which are sold directly to customers or through distributors. It has four reportable segments: Engine Products, which derives key revenue, Fastening Systems, Engineered Structures, and Forged Wheels. Geographically, the company derives maximum revenue from the USA, followed by France, Japan, Germany, and other markets.

General Dynamics is a defense contractor and business jet manufacturer. The firm’s segments are aerospace, marine, combat systems, and technologies. General Dynamics' aerospace segment manufactures Gulfstream business jets and operates a global aircraft servicing operation. Combat systems produces land-based combat vehicles such as the M1 Abrams tank and Stryker armored personnel carrier, as well as munitions. The marine segment builds and services nuclear-powered submarines, destroyers, and Navy support ships. The technologies segment contains two main units: an IT business that primarily serves the government market and a mission systems business focusing on electronics that provide command, control, computing, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to the military.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd is engaged in the manufacturing and sale of ships, industrial machinery, and aircraft. The segments of the company are Energy; Plants and Infrastructure Systems; Logistics, Thermal and Drive Systems; and Aircraft, Defense, and Space. The company earns maximum revenue from the energy segment, which handles clean gas, steam power systems, nuclear power systems, compressors, and marine machinery. The Plants and Infrastructure Systems segment of the company deals with commercial ships, engineering, machine tools, and machinery systems; Logistics, Thermal, and Drive Systems provide material handling systems, engines, HVAC systems, and automotive air-conditioners; and the Aircraft, Defense, and Space cover commercial aircraft, defense aircraft, and others.

Northrop Grumman is a diversified defense contractor providing aeronautics, defense, and space systems. The company's aerospace segment produces autonomous and piloted aircraft such as Global Hawk drones and the new B-21 bomber, creates the fuselage for the massive F-35 program, and maintains and upgrades numerous other military aircraft. Defense systems makes artillery and missile ammunition and guidance systems, long-range missiles, and missile defense systems. Mission systems creates and integrates a variety of radar, navigation, and communication systems for avionics, weapons control, and countermeasures on a range of platforms from helicopters to destroyers. Space systems produces satellites, sensors, space structures, and rocket motors.

BAE Systems is a British global defense, security, and aerospace company and the largest defense contractor in Europe; it is one of six prime contractors to the US Department of Defense. For reporting purposes, the company has five operating segments: electronics systems is the group's US- and UK-based electronic warfare systems; the cyber, security, and intelligence segment supplies intelligence and security solutions to the US government; platforms and services manufactures combat vehicles and munitions and performs ship repair services to the US Defense Department; the air segment includes BAE’s share of US and European air programs as well as its businesses in Saudi Arabia and Australia, and the maritime segment comprises UK land- and marine-based activities.

Rheinmetall is an international group active in various markets with leading technological products and services. The sales focus is on the security technology and mobility segments. Since February 2021, the group structure has been made up of five divisions-vehicle systems, weapons and ammunition, electronic solutions, sensors and actuators, and materials and trade. The vehicle systems, weapons and ammunition, and electronic solutions divisions are among the defense and security industry's leading suppliers of innovative products to German and international defense forces. The sensors and actuators and materials and trade divisions' core area of expertise is the reduction of emissions, pollutants and fuel consumption.

In addition to its legacy software-defined radio franchise, L3Harris Technologies has through a series of acquisitions established franchises producing uncrewed aerial vehicles, sensors, avionics, space-based systems, missiles, and solid rocket motors. It also adapts civilian aircraft for military use and provides military and commercial training services, and maintains the US Federal Aviation Administration's communications infrastructure.

Larsen & Toubro Ltd is a technology, engineering, manufacturing, and financial services conglomerate operating globally. It enters into contracts to construct various facilities, develop solutions for offshore and onshore hydrocarbon projects, serve power plants, build ships, and perform other engineering projects. Its integrated capabilities help customers throughout the entire value chain, from design to delivering a project. The company's operating segments are: Infrastructure projects, Energy projects, Hi-Tech Manufacturing, IT & Technology services, Financial services, Development projects, and other segments. A majority of its revenue is generated from the Infrastructure projects segment. Geographically, the group generates maximum revenue from its operations in India.

Thales is a French aerospace and defense industrial and one of Europe's largest defense contractors. The company has three segments: defense and security provides sensors, mission systems, communications, and control systems to European and export defense customers; aerospace sells avionics and satellites to the civil, defense, and governmental markets; and digital identity and security provides biometric, data, and identity security solutions, payments services, and the manufacturing of SIM cards.

Hanwha Aerospace Co Ltd is engaged in the manufacturing and technology businesses spanning aerospace, aviation, defense, industrial equipment, IT services, marine operations, and security solutions. Its Aerospace segment handles satellite system manufacturing; the Aviation segment covers aircraft engines and parts; the Defense industry segment produces self-propelled howitzers and armored vehicles; the Industrial equipment segment focuses on SMT machinery; the IT service segment provides consulting, SI, ITO, and logistics services; the Security department manufactures CCTVs and related peripherals; and the Marine segment includes merchant marine activities, marine and special vessel manufacturing, as well as plant and wind power operations.

Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi Ve Ticaret AS provides defense technologies to the Turkish armed forces. Additionally, it exports systems and solutions to clients in other countries and has taken on civil projects. Its products may help with communications, radars, sensing, or other defense systems to enhance proficiencies within the industrials sector. Marketing efforts may be geared toward a specific customer or specific segment in the market, and plans are implemented to showcase product capabilities.

Elbit Systems Ltd is a technology company involved in producing a portfolio of systems and products for aircraft, land, and naval applications. The company's products are used for defense, homeland security, and commercial flight capabilities. Its systems and solutions may be installed on new platforms, or it may perform a comprehensive modernization program to transform a platform. Elbit Systems gives instructions to its customers on the proper maintenance of its products and will provide support team specialists when the customer cannot fix a problem. The company markets its systems and products as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor to government, defense, and homeland security contractors world wide.

Leonardo is one of the largest European defense firms, with 30% of its shares owned by the Italian government. The group’s divisions include helicopters; defense, electronics, and security systems; and aeronautics. The helicopter division serves both military and civil markets through AgustaWestland. DES has access to the US defense market through the DRS subsidiary. The aeronautics division cooperates in international programs, such as Eurofighter Typhoon, F-35, and the new Tempest, and supplies aerostructures to large commercial aircraft programs.

Bharat Electronics Ltd is an aerospace and defense company predominantly owned by the Indian government. It manufactures a wide range of specialized electronics and equipment for defense and civilian use. Its investments are made in research and development to meet the ever-changing needs of customers and to test products in its pipeline. Its product portfolio includes unmanned systems, land-based radars, batteries, weapon systems, fuzes, simulators, and jammers, among others. It also provides cybersecurity and software products. A majority of the company's revenue is derived from the defense sector. Geographically, the company's key revenue is derived from India, and it also has international customers from countries like the United Kingdom, Israel, and others.

Axon Enterprise Inc is building a public safety operating system by integrating a suite of hardware devices and cloud software solutions. The company's suite includes cloud-hosted digital evidence management solutions, TASER energy devices, drones and robotic security, and training solutions. Its operation comprises of two operating segments, Software and Services, and Connected Devices. The company generates the majority of its revenue from the Connected Devices segment, which is engaged in developing, manufacturing, and selling fully integrated hardware solutions such as conducted energy devices sold under the TASER brand, body cameras, fixed and in-car cameras, drone and counter-drone technologies, and a broad ecosystem of accessories, extended warranties and related hardware products.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd operates in the aerospace and defense sector. The company is engaged in the design, manufacturing, and development of products like aircraft, helicopters, systems and accessories, power plants, avionics, materials like castings, rolled rings, rubber products, and aerospace which include structures, tanks, and cryogenic engines. Geographically the company derives revenue from India and other countries, of which a majority of revenue is generated from India.

Saab supplies products and services for military, defense, and civil security. The company operates in four segments: aeronautics, dynamics, surveillance, and Kockums. Aeronautics involves the manufacturing and support of defense and commercial aerial systems. Dynamics produces combat weapons and defense training and management systems. Surveillance supplies security services, and creates traffic management technology and aviation parts. Kockums offers solutions for naval missions. Over three fourths of Saab’s sales are from the defense sector. The company sells to multiple geographic regions, but over half of its sales come from Europe.

Kongsberg Gruppen is an international technology company that supplies products and services to the defense, maritime, oil, gas, and aerospace industries. The company is divided into two business segments: the maritime segment and defense and aerospace systems. Maritime, which earns most of the firm's revenue, creates navigation, automation, monitoring, and positioning products for commercial ships and offshore industry. The defense and aerospace segment provides defense and space-related products and systems. Outside of the two main segments, the firm operates Kongsberg Digital, which produces digital solutions for oil, gas, wind, and merchant marine markets. Products are delivered globally, with North America accounting for about one third of total revenue.

AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Co Ltd is engaged in the research and production of complete aviation weapons and equipment and their accessories and mainly focuses on the aviation industry.

Teledyne Technologies Inc provides enabling technologies to sense, analyze and distribute information for industrial growth markets that require advanced technology and high reliability. The firm operates in four segments: Digital Imaging, Instrumentation, Aerospace and Defense Electronics, and Engineered Systems. The Digital Imaging segment, that derives maximum revenue, includes high-performance sensors, cameras and systems, within the visible, infrared and X-ray spectra for use in industrial, government and medical applications, as well as MEMS and high-performance, high-reliability semiconductors including analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters. Geographically, the company operates in United States, Europe, Asia, and All other.

ST Engineering is a Singaporean government-linked commercial and defense engineering group. Its key businesses include aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services, in which it is the world’s largest independent third-party provider. The company’s fastest-growing activities involve applications to defense and smart city solutions where it provides tolling solutions, traffic control systems, command and control dashboards, cybersecurity tools, and other related components. Around two thirds of the company’s revenue comes from commercial clients while the remainder is defense.

Curtiss-Wright Corporation delivers engineered products and services to commercial, defence, power generation, and other industrial markets. It offers industrial vehicle components, control systems, weapons handling systems, pumps, valves, and other solutions. The company has three reportable segments based on the markets serviced: Naval & Power, which provides coolant pumps, power-dense compact motors, generators, secondary propulsion systems, pumps, pump seals, valves, control rod drive mechanisms, and fastening systems that also generate maximum revenue for the company; its other segments are Aerospace & Industrial and Defense Electronics. Geographically, the company generates its key revenue from the United States of America, followed by the United Kingdom and other countries.

Dassault Aviation, a subsidiary of French multinational company Dassault Group, designs, builds, and maintains military fighter jets and is one of the largest manufacturers of business jets. It has a 26% stake in Thales, which contributes significantly to Dassault’s net profit. In 2024, Dassault Aviation generated EUR 6.2 billion in revenue with 14,600 employees. About 62% of revenue comes from defense aircraft equipment sales and services, while Falcon business jets generate the remaining 38% of sales.

CSG NV is a defence group in terms of medium, large- and small-calibre ammunition sales based in Prague, Czech Republic, operating in Europe, the United States and in other regions including Asia Pacific. The Group's business is divided into two segments: CSG Defence Systems and CSG Ammo.

BWX Technologies Inc is a specialty manufacturer and service provider of nuclear components, operating in two segments: Government Operations and Commercial Operations. The Government Operations segment produces naval nuclear reactors and fuel for the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, while the Commercial Operations segment designs and manufactures commercial nuclear steam generators, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, reactor components, and other auxiliary equipment, including containers for the storage of spent nuclear fuel and other high-level nuclear waste. The majority of the company's revenue comes from Government Operations, with sales principally in the United States, Canada, and other regions.

Hanwha Systems Co Ltd is a South Korean-based company engaged in the areas of avionics and space, security and safety, and information systems services. The company operates through three segments: Defense, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and Other. The Defense segment focuses on the manufacturing and sales of military equipment. The ICT segment provides services such as IT outsourcing. The Other segment includes manufacturing activities, new business engineering, data processing, and applied software services. It generates the majority of its revenue from the Defense segment.

Kuang-Chi Technologies Co Ltd is engaged in the research and development, production, and sales of new-generation metamaterial cutting-edge equipment products in China. The company has two segments, which include the Metamaterials business segment and the Metamaterials research and development business segment. The company generates the majority of its revenue from the Metamaterials business segment.

Huntington Ingalls Industries is the largest independent military shipbuilder in the US, spun out from Northrop Grumman in 2011. It operates three segments, two of which are storied shipyards: Ingalls produces non-nuclear-powered ships including amphibious landing ships and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, while Newport News produces nuclear-powered ships as the only producer of Gerald Ford-class aircraft carriers and a major subcontractor on Virginia- and Columbia-class nuclear submarines. HII shares production of destroyers and nuclear submarines with General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works and Electric Boat shipyards, respectively. The company’s mission technologies segment produces uncrewed sea vessels and provides a range of IT and other services to US government agencies.

Leonardo DRS Inc is a provider of defense products and technologies that are used across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains. The company is in the design, development, and manufacture of Advanced sensing, network computing, force protection, and electric power and propulsion technologies and solutions. The company has two segments: Advanced Sensing and Computing, which generates the majority of revenue, and the Integrated Mission Systems segment. The Advanced Sensing and Computing segment is engaged in designing, developing, and manufacturing sensing and network computing technology that enables real-time situational awareness required for enhanced operational decision-making and execution by the customers.

Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd is engaged in the manufacture and sale of aircraft in Korea. The company builds military aircraft for national defense and civil aircraft parts. The company operates through four segments: Airframe, Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, and Others. The Airframe sector produces airframe structures for prominent aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus. The Fixed Wing sector focuses on mass-produced aircraft, including the T-50 series exported overseas, and the development of the KF-21 Korean fighter. The Rotary Wing sector is centered on helicopter programs such as the KUH and LAH series. The Others sector covers satellites, UAVs, training systems, and related aerospace solutions. It generates the majority of its revenue from the Fixed wing segment.

Indra Sistemas SA is a Spain-based provider of information technology offerings for finance, insurance, public administration, airports, defense, healthcare, media, telecom, security, energy, and infrastructure end markets. Its product capabilities include analytics, cloud computing, enterprise resource planning, networks and communications, electoral processes, bus technology, subway technology, and sustainability solutions. The firm generates revenue in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific.

Embraer SA based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, manufacturer of jets. Its focus is to achieve customer satisfaction with and services addressing the commercial airline, executive jets, and defense and security markets. It has developed a customer-centric technology-driven portfolio of commercial aviation products and services that allows it to build long-term relationships with clients in the commercial aviation, executive jets, and defense and security markets. It operates through the various segments namely Commercial Aviation, Defense and Security, Executive Aviation, Service and Support, and Other Segments. The company generates maximum revenue from the Commercial Aviation segment.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems. The company has two segments; The Kratos Government Solutions (KGS) segment is comprised of an aggregation of KGS operating segments, including its microwave electronic products, space, training, and cybersecurity, C5ISR/modular systems, turbine technologies, and defense and rocket support services operating segments and The Unmanned Systems segment consists of unmanned aerial, unmanned ground, unmanned seaborne and related command, control, and communications system businesses. The company derives a majority of its revenue from the Kratos Government Solutions segment.

Hensoldt, founded in 2017 and headquartered in Taufkirchen, Germany, completed its initial public offering on Sept. 25, 2020, on Deutsche Börse AG. The company specializes in defense and security electronics, operating across two main segments: sensors and optronics, with the majority of its revenue generated by the sensors division. Hensoldt has deep roots and its strongest market presence in Germany, but it also maintains production sites in France, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. Its sales footprint extends across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, North America, Africa, Latin America, and other regions.

Moog Inc. manufactures precision motion and fluid control systems for aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Its four segments are Space and Defense, Military Aircraft, Commercial Aircraft, and Industrial, with the majority of revenue from Space and Defense. The company provides components for defense vehicle platforms, missile systems, naval ships, submarines, and space launch vehicles, and spacecraft. Its products include actuation systems, motion platforms, motors, servo and proportional valves, slip rings, propulsion systems, and weapon stores management systems. it serves industries such as aerospace and defense, industrial automation, energy, marine, motorsport, simulation, and medical devices. It operates in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other regions.

Wuhan Guide Infrared Co Ltd is engaged in the research, development, production, and sale of infrared thermal imaging technology. The company’s main business includes the development of infrared focal plane detector chips, thermal imaging devices, and integrated optoelectronic systems centered on infrared imaging technology. Its activities also extend to the provision of complete equipment systems, as well as the production of traditional non-lethal munitions and information-based ammunition.

Karman Holdings Inc specializes in the upfront design, testing, manufacturing, and sale of mission-critical systems for existing and emerging missile and defense, and space programs. Its integrated payload protection, propulsion, and interstage system solutions are deployed across a wide variety of existing and emerging programs supporting important Department of Defense (DoD) and space sector initiatives. Its engineered solutions are organized into three key families: Payload Protection and Deployment Systems, Aerodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion Systems. The company's solutions are deployed across three growing, core end markets: Hypersonics & Strategic Missile Defense, Missile & Integrated Defense Systems, and Space & Launch.

AeroVironment Inc supplies unmanned aircraft systems, tactical missile systems, high-altitude pseudo-satellites, and other related services to government agencies within the United States Department of Defense as well as the United States allied international governments. The systems can help with security, surveillance, or sensing, and provide eyes in the sky without needing an actual person, or driver in the sky. The company is a defense technology provider delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. It develops and deploy autonomous systems, precision strike systems, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities. Company operates in three segments: UxS, LMS, MW.

ESCO Technologies Inc sells engineered products and systems for utility, industrial, aerospace, and commercial applications. The firm operates in three segments: Aerospace & Defense (A&D), Utility Solutions Group (USG), and RF Test & Measurement (Test). The Aerospace and Defense segment designs and manufactures specialty filtration and naval products. The USG segment provides diagnostic testing solutions. The Test segment provides its customers with the ability to identify, measure, and contain magnetic, electromagnetic, and acoustic energy.

Hanwha Corp is a global manufacturing and trading company. The company operates in four business areas - Explosives, Defense, Trading, and Machinery. Explosives Division offers a wide range of explosives products and services via three business units: chemical unit, cladding unit, and the fireworks promotion unit. Trading Division engages in trading various products ranging from raw materials to consumer goods, wood pallet manufacturing, landfill gas generation, solar power systems, and other new and renewable energy businesses. Machinery Division offers machine tools, factory automation and plant and machinery. Under its Defense Division, it offers precision-guided munitions, advanced ammunition, and unmanned systems and underwater surveillance equipment.

Addsino Co Ltd is a China-based company engages in the development, manufacture, and distribution of command and control communication products. Its main products include military communication products, experimental radio frequency simulation systems, experimental and field active target simulation systems, radar simulation systems, tactical training simulation systems and electromagnetic protection products, among others.