Industries
Aerospace and Defense
Premium Sponsor of A&D Industry Conferences
Represents 9 of the Top 15 Government Contractors Worldwide
#1 in Cross Border Announced Deals by Volume in H1 2026
$501 billion+ in Deal Value for Global Announced Deals in H1 2026
Overview
Gibson Dunn has decades of experience advising aerospace, defense, and government services clients, including manufacturers, defense contractors, airlines, and service providers.
We offer comprehensive legal support across transactions, contracts, and disputes, bringing a deep understanding of the sector’s unique opportunities and challenges.
Our team counsels aerospace and defense companies on government contracting, regulatory compliance, investigations, intellectual property, licensing and strategic risk management. We help clients navigate complex procurement regulations, trade controls, cybersecurity, industrial security, and congressional investigations — enhancing their competitiveness and ensuring compliance with evolving government requirements.
In collaboration with our M&A team, we support all phases of corporate transactions – including acquisitions, divestments, investments and joint ventures – from structuring and due diligence to financing and risk management. Our expertise includes national security reviews (CFIUS), navigating foreign direct investment, export controls and licenses, trade sanctions, and structuring deals involving government contractors. With insight into procurement processes, industry financing, and global regulatory enforcement, we provide strategic advice to help clients succeed in this highly regulated space.
“They have a surgical approach on how to negotiate the points which matter and moving forward efficiently and with a business mindset.”
Chambers USA, client quote
Experience
Recent representations include:
- SpaceX: Advised SpaceX on its $1.25 trillion merger with xAI, the largest M&A deal in history.
- SpaceX: Advised SpaceX on its partnership with and subsequent $60 billion acquisition of Cursor to create the world’s best coding and knowledge work AI.
- Satair: Advised Satair, an Airbus company, and Airbus on Satair’s acquisition of Unical Aviation, a supplier of aircraft Used Serviceable Material, and its subsidiary ecube, an aircraft storage and transition company.
- CACI International: Advised CACI International on its $2.6 billion acquisition of ARKA Group,a mission solutions provider to U.S. and international partners, from Blackstone Tactical Opportunities funds.
- SES: Advised SES, a Luxembourg-based operator of broadcast satellite systems, on its $3.1 billion acquisition of Intelsat, a Luxembourg-based satellite communications provider.
- Northrop Grumman: Advised Northrop Grumman on the sale of its mission training and satellite ground network communications software business to Serco, a government contractor.
- SpaceX: Advised SpaceX on its acquisition of certain business assets of Akoustis Technologies, Akoustis, and RFM Integrated Device, an integrated device manufacturer (IDM) of patented bulk acoustic wave (BAW) high-band RF filters for mobile and other wireless applications.
- HENSOLDT: Advised HENSOLDT, a European defense industry company, on its investment in Quantum Systems, a provider of advanced unmanned aerial intelligence.
- SpaceX: Advised SpaceX on a $17 billion agreement to buy spectrum licenses from Echostar for its Starlink satellite network.
- GE Aerospace: Advised GE Aerospace, an aircraft engine supplier, on its $2.0 billion Notes Offering.
- York Space Systems: Advised York Space Systems in connection with its acquisition of substantially all of the equity of Atlas Space Operations, Inc., the world’s leading Ground Software as a Service provider for space-based communication and global connectivity.
- CACI International: Advised CACI International its $1.3 billion acquisition of Azure Summit Technology, a provider of high-performance RF electronics, software and systems.
- OceanSound Partners: Advised OceanSound Partners on its acquisition of Antenna Research Associates, a leading provider of integrated radio frequency (“RF”) and advanced communications products to the aerospace and defense end-markets.
- KBR: Advised KBR on its acquisition of LinQuest, a national security space systems and technology solutions provider to defense and intelligence communities.
- Comply365: Advised Comply365, a global provider of document and compliance management solutions to the aerospace industry, on the acquisition of Qualtero, a provider of training management.
- Tyto Athene: Advised Tyto Athene on its acquisition of Microtel, a software development and systems engineering firm deeply embedded in long-term, space missions for NASA and international space programs; and on its acquisition of MindPoint Group, a premier provider of end-to-end managed cybersecurity services to leading U.S. federal agencies and organizations.