Justice wants more details on General Dynamics-Anteon deal

The Justice Department has requested more information from General Dynamics Corp. and Anteon International Corp. for its review of the defense giant's proposed acquisition of Anteon.

Both companies intend to address the request promptly, Anteon said in a printed statement issued Friday. The statement did not indicate the reason for the request. However, the Justice Department usually takes its time reviewing such transactions when they involve large companies such as General Dynamics.

The request extends the waiting period imposed by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, during which the Justice Department studies the prospective transaction. It is not yet known when the agency will complete its review.

Anteon of Fairfax, Va., expects the transaction to close by the end of the second quarter of 2006. Earlier this month, Anteon stockholders voted in favor of the IT company's sale to General Dynamics, which originally announced the $2.2 billion acquisition last December.

The deal will consolidate two top 20 companies on Washington Technology's Top 100 list. Anteon, whose primary customer is the federal government, employs more than 9,500 workers worldwide and had 2004 revenue of almost $1.3 billion. It ranks No. 13 on Washington Technology's 2005 Top 100 list of federal prime contractors.

General Dynamics of Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 72,200 people worldwide and had 2005 revenue of $21.2 billion. It is No. 5 on Washington Technology's 2005 Top 100 list.