L-3 to buy Chesapeake Sciences

L-3 Communications Corp. is acquiring Chesapeake Sciences Corp., a developer and manufacturer of anti-submarine warfare technology. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The acquisition will complement L-3's product line of undersea and airborne acoustic sensors, sonar systems and mine warfare systems, and is expected to generate about $70 million in sales next year, L-3 officials said.

Chesapeake Sciences, of Millersville, Md., specializes in developing, testing and integrating towed sonar arrays for use on submarines and surface ships.

The acquisition is expected to be completed by March 2009, pending standard regulatory approvals.

L-3 Communications, of New York City, ranks No. 8 on Washington Technology's 2008 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.