Company

Hagerstown Maryland, December 22, 2022 – Tenax Aerospace, LLC (Tenax) announced today that it has made a strategic investment in DS Technologies, LLC (DST). DST is an aviation services company headquartered at Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown, MD. DST was founded in 2003 by Dana Smith and provides specially modified aircraft for aerial sensor testing, training, and live operations. The company also provides UAS and maritime services and logistical support for these and other special mission aircraft operations. DST's customers are primarily the U.S. government military and law enforcement agencies.

Tenax provides aircraft leasing and operations services for the Department of Defense, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Justice, and U.S. Forest Service, as well as civilian customers. Tenax is headquartered in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

The relationship between DST and Tenax will introduce new capabilities for both companies, enabling them to serve their customers better and create additional growth opportunities.

Dana Smith, President & CEO, DS Technologies, LLC said, "I am very pleased to announce our new partnership with Tenax. Tenax's access to capital and a broad customer base will enable DST to expand what we offer our current customers as well as bring in opportunities to serve new customers. Tenax and DST have worked closely together in the past and our more formal connection will enhance what we are able to do together. I am proud of the team that has built DST to what it is today and know that the DST team, in partnership with Tenax, will help accelerate the prospects and growth of both companies."

Jim Linder, President, Tenax Aerospace said, "A closer affiliation with DST will enable Tenax to expand its ISR customer base, as well as offer our customers engineering, aircraft modification, sensor testing, and training services. I look forward to working with Dana Smith and his excellent team at DST."

NTC Group Inc. of Greenwich, CT helped arrange Tenax's investment in DST and organized $65 million of financing provided by Bain Capital Credit and a bank group led by Regions Bank. The principals of NTC are controlling shareholders of Tenax Aerospace, Stevens Aerospace and Defense, and The Entwistle Company.

 

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About Tenax Aerospace:

Tenax is a leading provider of special mission aircraft and related services to the U.S. Government and commercial customers. Tenax focuses on special mission aviation programs critical to national security and the public interest such as aerial fire suppression, aerial intelligence gathering, and airborne data acquisition. Tenax’s offering covers all aspects of special mission aviation including aircraft procurement, modification, operations and financing; engineering & systems integration; and program management. Tenax’s customers include the Department of Defense, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Justice, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Homeland Security. Founded in 2001, Tenax is a privately-owned business headquartered in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Please browse this website for more information about our capabilities and aviation solutions.

 

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Press Contact:

Alan Oswalt, EVP Operations
aoswalt@tenaxaerospace.com

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