06:25 AM EDT, 10/06/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Firefly Aerospace ( FLY ) shares rose early Monday as the space and defense technology company agreed to acquire advanced national security technologies firm SciTec in a cash-and-stock deal worth about $855 million.

The transaction comprises $300 million in cash and $555 million of Firefly shares to be issued to SciTec owners at $50 apiece, Firefly said Sunday. The company's stock jumped 17% in the most recent premarket activity.

Firefly said the acquisition will boost its space services with the addition of defense software analytics, remote sensing and multi-phenomenology data expertise. SciTec will also bring artificial intelligence-enabled systems for low-latency operations to support advanced threat tracking and response across multiple domains, according to the company.

"The acquisition of SciTec enhances our ability to support a growing number of defense missions and provides us with a significant operational advantage," Firefly Chief Executive Jason Kim said in a statement. "We are excited to welcome the SciTec team to the Firefly family and look forward to working together to continue to deliver leading edge solutions."

The deal, which requires approval from regulators, is expected to complete by the end of the year. Following completion, SciTec will operate as a subsidiary of Firefly under its current business model led by CEO Jim Lisowski, who will report to Kim.

SciTec had revenue of roughly $164 million for the 12-month period ending June 30. The company, headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, maintains five additional facilities strategically positioned near key space and defense customers, Firefly said.

"We believe Firefly is the best home for our business and people," according to Lisowski. "In addition to the strong strategic fit, our cultures are similar."