BAE Systems buys Detica

British defense giant BAE Systems plc has purchased Detica plc, an intelligence support consulting company, for an estimated 531 million pounds, or $986 million, in company stock.

Detica provides software that helps governments and commercial organizations manage and analyze large amounts of data. The company also has been prominent in supplying anti-terrorism and anti-fraud applications.

Detica will be a separate business unit within BAE Systems, tasked with developing an enhanced strategy to pursue growth opportunities within the security and resilience market. In particular, it will provide a platform for BAE Systems to apply Detica's capabilities into the U.S. homeland security market, BAE officials said today.

The combination of Detica's established customer relationships and technical capabilities together with BAE's systems integration capabilities will result in a depth of financial and technical capability to address growth opportunities and better service existing and future customers, they said.

The acquisition is the latest step in helping BAE Systems develop a world-leading security and resilience business across its home markets, Ian King, BAE Systems chief executive officer, said in a statement.

Detica CEO Tom Black will continue leading the company through its next phase of growth.

Detica is based in Guildford, England, with offices in New York; Arlington, Va.; and Columbia, Md.

U.S. division BAE Systems Inc., of Bethesda, Md., ranks No. 12 on Washington Technology's 2008 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.