General Dynamics strengthens defense tech capabilities by acquiring Iron EagleX

One of Tampa Bay’s largest defense contractors is being acquired by the information technologies division of global aerospace and defense giant General Dynamics. This strategic acquisition of Iron EagleX comes approximately a year after General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) launched a digital accelerator program aimed at investing in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.

While the financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed, GDIT will inherit Iron EagleX’s impressive $430 million, 10-year contract with U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), which was secured in late 2022. SOCOM, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, has been a significant focus for GDIT since its expansion into this area through the acquisition of Arma Global in 2014.

This deal positions Iron EagleX, an IT provider for the defense industry, within one of the top five largest U.S. defense partners, known for securing some of the industry’s largest contracts. GDIT has been awarded over $6 billion in contracts with U.S. agencies since 2019, including a substantial $922 million contract in April to overhaul US Central Command’s enterprise IT infrastructure. General Dynamics, a consistent top-five U.S. government contractor, boasts a global workforce of 100,000 employees, with GDIT accounting for approximately 28,000 of those.

Iron EagleX brings to the table just over 100 local employees and about 200 employees in total, spread across 18 locations in the U.S. and Stuttgart, Germany. This acquisition marks a new chapter in Iron EagleX’s mission to have a “generational impact on national security,” as stated by CEO Michael Grochol.

Grochol expressed enthusiasm about the merger, saying, “Our team has always focused on delivering positive disruptive change in national security, and as part of GDIT, Iron EagleX will gain access to a tremendous amount of new customers and opportunities to expand on that mission and help make our nation a safer place.

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