Mercury acquires specialized semiconductor maker

Mercury Systems' fourth acquisition in the past 12 months sees them buy a company that makes radio frequency components, including a type of semiconductor often put in mobile phones.

Mercury Systems has completed its fourth acquisition within the past 12 months in a push to become a more scaled provider of trusted microelectronics for aerospace and defense programs.

In a regulatory filing Monday, Mercury said it purchased radio frequency module and component manufacturer Atlanta Micro for $90 million in cash. Mercury expects Atlanta Micro to contribute $16 million in revenue next year.

Atlanta Micro was founded in 2011 to produce high-performance RF and microwave products. The company specializes in monolithic microwave integrated circuits, a type of semiconductor often installed on mobile phones and satellite receivers.

Mercury has used acquisitions as a tool to increase its presence in electronic warfare, radar and weapons programs among others.

For Mercury, this transaction marks number 15 for the serial acquirer in the past seven years to become a more vertically-integrated supplier of microelectronics and other subsystems across the defense industrial base.

(NOTE: This story has been edited to include the purchase price Mercury disclosed in a regulatory filing)