L3's new hire fits strategy to recast the company

L3 Technologies has hired former Lockheed Martin executive and three-decade defense sector veteran Stephen O'Bryan as chief global business development officer in another sign that the company is headed in a new direction.

O'Bryan will also hold a senior vice president title and oversee L3's relationships with the Defense Department, the military branches, Congress, other federal agencies and both commercial and international customers. He will report directly to CEO Chris Kubasik, L3 said Sunday.

Since becoming CEO in January, Kubasik has made a series of appointments to the executive team in his effort to position L3 as a "non-traditional sixth prime" contractor alongside the industry's five biggest players.

Those hires have included former Navy acquisition leader Sean Stackley to head strategic advanced capabilities and technologies, and Leidos and Lockheed Martin veteran Melanie Heitkamp as chief human resources officer.

L3 also brought on former Missile Defense Agency Director Patrick O'Reilly to oversee engineering across the company, while former Apple executive Rita Lane joined the board of directors. She led Apple's launch of the iPad tablet.

Additionally, L3 divested three large aerospace services units and has made three acquisitions in its ongoing push to recast the company amid increases in defense budgets. In several investor events and interviews, Kubasik has stated L3's intent to be a busy buyer this year.

L3 Technologies CEO: Very encouraged by defense market demand from CNBC.