BlackSea Technologies
Baltimore-based builder of the GARC uncrewed surface vessel for the US Navy; pending acquisition by AEVEX Aerospace.
BlackSea Technologies was formed in June 2022 when private equity firm Razor's Edge Capital acquired Maritime Applied Physics Corp (MAPC) and merged it with Hard Yards, Blue Tide Marine, and Lakenheath. Builds the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC), a 16-foot autonomous/remote-operated USV for ISR, comms relay, mine countermeasures, and strike missions, manufactured at the former Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard in Baltimore. Also holds a separate US Navy contract for the Seabased Petroleum Distribution System (SPDS). On August 13, 2026, AEVEX Aerospace announced an agreement to acquire BlackSea for up to $650M ($250M cash, ~$350M AEVEX stock, up to $50M earnout), expected to close September 2026.
Overview
- Headquarters
- Baltimore, MD
- Founded
- 2022
- Employees
- ~235 (2026)
- Total funding
- Stage
- Private (PE-backed by Razor's Edge Capital); pending acquisition by AEVEX Aerospace
- Status
- active
- Domains
- Maritime autonomy, Uncrewed surface vessels, Naval defense
- Website
- blacksea.tech
Founders0
No linked records yet.
Investors0
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Cap table0
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Programs0
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Frequently asked
- What does BlackSea Technologies do?
- BlackSea Technologies was formed in June 2022 when private equity firm Razor's Edge Capital acquired Maritime Applied Physics Corp (MAPC) and merged it with Hard Yards, Blue Tide Marine, and Lakenheath. Builds the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC), a 16-foot autonomous/remote-operated USV for ISR, comms relay, mine countermeasures, and strike missions, manufactured at the former Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard in Baltimore. Also holds a separate US Navy contract for the Seabased Petroleum Distribution System (SPDS). On August 13, 2026, AEVEX Aerospace announced an agreement to acquire BlackSea for up to $650M ($250M cash, ~$350M AEVEX stock, up to $50M earnout), expected to close September 2026.
- Where is BlackSea Technologies headquartered?
- BlackSea Technologies is headquartered in Baltimore, MD and was founded in 2022.
- What does BlackSea Technologies specialize in?
- BlackSea Technologies works across Maritime autonomy, Uncrewed surface vessels, Naval defense.
- Does BlackSea Technologies hold government contracts?
- Defense Tech Atlas links BlackSea Technologies to 1 government contract.
Sources & citations3
Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.
- 1
US Navy conducted its first live-fire training exercise with the GARC on July 17, 2026, sinking the decommissioned USS Peleliu during RIMPAC 2026; GARC payload capacity up to 1,000 lbs, range 700nm at 22 knots
Defense News: US Navy deploys GARC uncrewed surface vessel in first live-fire training exerciseVerified2026-07-29 - 2
BlackSea Technologies formed June 2022 via Razor's Edge Capital's acquisition of Maritime Applied Physics Corp, merged with Hard Yards, Blue Tide Marine, and Lakenheath; ~235 employees, HQ South Baltimore (Wagners Point); GARC contract now worth up to $213M per government spending data, up from an initial $2M 2022 award
The Baltimore Banner: BlackSea Technologies: Baltimore's hot new naval drone companyReported2026-06-01 - 3
AEVEX Aerospace agreed to acquire BlackSea Technologies for up to $650M ($250M cash, ~$350M AEVEX Class A stock, up to $50M earnout), announced Aug 13 2026, expected to close September 2026
Breaking Defense: AEVEX to acquire BlackSea Technologies for up to $650MReported2026-08-13