News in Defense Private Equity

Finding it hard to keep up lately, but here is some recent news in defense-related PE activity:

Ranger Aerospace is in the news after being involved in a recent capital markets conference. From the press release, Steve Townes is quoted:

"Key leaders in the capital markets and aerospace services industry recognize the strong niche brand we have built with Ranger over the years. We are middle market operators and business-builders, specialists in positive transformations. This newest Ranger platform is developing excellent velocity for 2011 and beyond."

Xe Services (formerly Blackwater) has been acquired by USTC Holdings, fully divesting founder Erik Prince's equity stake. USTC is an investor consortium led by Forté Capital Advisors and Manhattan Partners. More from the press release here.

ExecutiveBiz's list of the Top 20 People to Watch in 2011 includes the former CEO of DynCorp, Bill Ballhaus, as well as his successor, Steve Gaffney. Ballhaus remains on the board of DynCorp and serves as strategic advisor to parent Cerberus Capital Management.

Admiralty Partners will sell Trident Space & Defense to TeleCommunication Systems (TCS). Admiralty founder Jon Kutler will join the board at TCS. More here.