Lockheed adds nanotechnology unit

Lockheed Martin Corp. has acquired the government business unit of Nantero Inc., a developer of nanotechnology-enabled devices such as memory, logic and sensors used in military applications, the Baltimore Sun reports.

The Bethesda, Md., based defense and information technology giant also entered a license arrangement with privately held Woburn, Mass.-based Nantero for government applications of Nantero's intellectual property portfolio.

Lockheed Martin, of Bethesda, Md., ranks No. 1 on Washington Technology's 2008 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.