KONGSBERG Gruppen ASA ('KONGSBERG') announced today that it has closed the
acquisition of US missile company Zone 5 Technologies LLC ('Zone 5'), following
approval by US regulatory authorities.
California-based Zone 5 is the market leader in affordable mass munitions. The
company designs and manufactures mass-producible interceptors, including the
'Rusty Dagger' long-range strike and 'White Spike' air defence missiles.
"Recent conflicts have demonstrated the critical role of high-volume defence
capabilities. This is exactly what Europe needs," said Eirik Lie, President and
CEO of KONGSBERG. "Zone 5 adds a distinct capability to the KONGSBERG portfolio,
bringing a proven track record of rapid production, highly scalable and
affordable missiles. Together with the Zone 5 leadership, KONGSBERG will support
and accelerate the company's scale-up and international growth."
KONGSBERG is a market leader within air defence and strike and will support a
rapid entry into the international market for Zone 5 products. Zone 5's product
line fits well into the KONGSBERG systems and is complementary to KONGSBERG
products.
By combining the high-performing KONGSBERG portfolio and Zone 5's high-volume
assets, KONGSBERG will provide comprehensive and flexible systems in the markets
for air defence and strike.
Zone 5's high performance has marked it as the stand-out company in the
affordable mass marketplace with contract awards in notable programmes like the
US Air Force's AGM-188 FAMM (Family of Affordable Mass Missiles) as well as the
export initiative of FAMM more commonly referred to as ERAM (Extended Range
Attack Munition). Additionally, Zone 5 is actively supporting efforts and
contracts led by other DoW Services, US Defense Innovation Unit, and Air Force
Research Labs, among others.
KONGSBERG is acquiring a 90 percent stake in Zone 5. The company will continue
to be led by founder and CEO, Thomas Akers, and the rest of the management team,
all of whom maintain ownership in Zone 5 following the closing. Post-closing,
Zone 5 will operate as an independent subsidiary. The value of the transaction
is undisclosed.
KONGSBERG (OSE ticker: KOG) is an international technology and defence company
that delivers critical products and solutions in defence, security and
surveillance on land, underwater and in space. KONGSBERG has approximately 7 800
employees in 20 countries and had a total revenue of NOK 32.8 billion in 2025.
untries and had a total revenue of NOK 32.8 billion in 2025.\