General Dynamics acquires wireless networking equipment maker

General Dynamics Corp. is acquiring Fortress Technologies Inc., a provider of secure wireless networking equipment for the U.S. military and other government customers.

The value of the cash transaction, which is expected to be accretive to General Dynamics’ earnings beginning in 2012, has not been disclosed, the company said June 14.

Fortress Technologies, of Westford, Mass., produces a portfolio of mesh networking products that enable secure wireless local area network capabilities for battlefield logistics, convoy, command post and troop applications.

The company and its approximately 70 employees will be managed by General Dynamics C4 Systems, of Scottsdale, Ariz., which designs and manufactures secure communications systems, command and control systems and operational hardware for the Defense Department, the intelligence community, federal civilian agencies and to international customers.

The transaction, which has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2011, subject to normal regulatory review.

General Dynamics Corp., of Falls Church, Va., ranks No. 5 on Washington Technology’s 2011 Top 100 list of the largest federal government contractors.