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AE Industrial Partners, LP
David H. Rowe · Private Equity · Buyout
Founded in 1998, AE Industrial Partners (AEI) is a Boca Raton-based private equity firm that specializes in the aerospace, defense, national security, and industrial services sectors. Managing over $7 billion in assets, the firm focuses on middle-market companies that are leaders in highly technical and mission-critical industries. AEI frequently acts as the first institutional investor for founder-led businesses, leveraging its deep operating experience and specialized industry network to drive growth. The firm maintains a diverse investment platform that includes private equity, venture capital, and aerospace leasing, with a focus on long-term value creation through both organic improvements and strategic acquisitions.
Simulated Performance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total return | -23.9% |
| YTD return | -11.3% |
| Sharpe ratio | -0.11 |
| Win rate | 60% |
| AUM | $1.5B |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Updated | Sep 21, 2026 |
Institution Status
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| AUM | $1.5B |
| Turnover | Low (<15%) |
| Avg holding | 18 Months |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Website | https://www.aeroequity.com |
Current Holdings
Updated on Sep 21, 2026.
| Ticker | Name | Portfolio % | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLY | Firefly Aerospace Inc. Common Stock | 70.1% | -21.0% |
| YSS | York Space Systems Inc. | 19.8% | -50.5% |
| CTSH | Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp Class A | 6.2% | +1.5% |
| KELYA | Kelly Services A Inc | 3.5% | +33.9% |
| RDW | Redwire Corp | 0.4% | +9.6% |
Recent activity
| Date | Action | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 7, 2026 | BUY | KELYA | 3.5% → 3.5% |
| Sep 7, 2026 | BUY | RDW | 0.4% → 0.4% |
| Sep 7, 2026 | SELL | FLY | 70.1% → 70.1% |
| Sep 7, 2026 | BUY | YSS | 19.8% → 19.8% |
| Sep 7, 2026 | BUY | CTSH | 6.2% → 6.2% |
Investment Style Analysis
AE Industrial Partners, LP is widely recognized for employing a Buyout strategy. As of Sep 21, 2026, the firm oversees approximately $1.5B in assets under management (AUM). The portfolio demonstrates a clear preference for the Aerospace & Defense and Other sectors, reflecting a high-conviction approach to capital allocation.
Recent Market Moves
During the latest rebalancing period ending Sep 7, AE Industrial Partners, LP made a significant move by increasing exposure to KELYA. This adjustment aligns with the fund's dynamic approach to risk management and capital deployment in current market conditions.
Investment Philosophy
AE Industrial Partners employs a thematic, operationally-driven investment strategy focused on market-leading companies in mission-critical industries such as aerospace, defense, and national security. The firm prioritizes control-oriented investments where it can partner with management teams to accelerate growth through a combination of organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions. By leveraging its deep technical knowledge and extensive industry network, AEI seeks to identify opportunities across the long product lifecycles of its target markets. The firm’s philosophy centers on providing the operational expertise and financial resources necessary to scale businesses, drive innovation, and create sustainable long-term value in highly regulated environments.
Disclaimer
The content provided on this page, including the simulated portfolio performance, holdings analysis, and AI-generated insights, is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. All data is derived from historical SEC 13F filings and other public disclosures, which have a reporting lag. The "Simulated Performance" is a hypothetical reconstruction based on past disclosures and does not represent the actual returns of the institution. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Tritonix.ai is not affiliated with AE Industrial Partners, LP.
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Frequently asked questions
How is the simulated portfolio for AE Industrial Partners, LP constructed?
This simulation is powered by Tritonix AI using official SEC filings. We focus on the "Best Ideas" by filtering for only the Top 20 largest holdings and rebalancing them to 100%. The simulation tracks performance starting from Oct 1, 2025. Our AI monitors for updates every Monday to capture major shifts. This concentrated approach highlights the manager's true stock-picking skill and mirrors their actual investment returns.
What is AE Industrial Partners, LP's largest holding?
As of the latest filing, AE Industrial Partners, LP's top position is Firefly Aerospace Inc. Common Stock (FLY), representing 70.1% of the portfolio. This reflects a high-conviction bet by the institution.
What is AE Industrial Partners, LP's historical performance and risk profile?
Our simulation indicates a total return of -23.9% with a win rate of 60%. Notably, the portfolio maintains a Sharpe Ratio of -0.11, suggesting an standard level of risk-adjusted returns compared to the broader market.
What sectors does AE Industrial Partners, LP primarily invest in?
AE Industrial Partners, LP has a strong preference for the Aerospace & Defense sector, which makes up 70.5% of their disclosed assets. The portfolio also has exposure to Other, indicating a specific thematic focus.
Is AE Industrial Partners, LP's portfolio concentrated or diversified?
AE Industrial Partners, LP runs a highly concentrated portfolio with 5 disclosed positions. The top 3 holdings alone account for 96.1% of the total portfolio weight, suggesting a strategy that favors deep research into a few key names.
How has AE Industrial Partners, LP performed in 2026?
Our AI-simulated model portfolio for AE Industrial Partners, LP tracks a Year-to-Date (YTD) return of -11.3%. This metric helps investors gauge the institution's effectiveness in the current market environment.
Does David H. Rowe manage AE Industrial Partners, LP directly?
Yes, David H. Rowe serves as the key portfolio manager for AE Industrial Partners, LP, overseeing the investment strategy and final capital allocation decisions.