L Squared Capital Partners announced a new aerospace, space and defense platform led by operating executive Philip Gunn. Gunn, a U.S. Air Force veteran and former Raptor Scientific business-development executive, will work with L Squared's investment team to identify buy-and-build opportunities across strategic programs, component technology for critical systems, and modeling, simulation, test and training.

The firm described the effort as a thematic platform rather than the acquisition of a named company. L Squared said the initiative will focus on aerospace and defense end markets where the firm can pair operating experience with future acquisitions.