L-3 to acquire Avisys

L-3 Communications Inc. has acquired Avisys Inc., a provider of technologies to counter the threat of missile attack against aircraft, for $8 million in cash, the company announced today.

The acquisition of Avisys of Austin, Texas, will enhance L-3's ability to provide products and services to counter the threat of missile attack against military, commercial and civilian aircraft.

The deal enhances the New York-based company's technical offerings in electronic warfare and avionics systems engineering and integration and technologies related to countermeasures, missile warning systems.

Avisys has been working to develop modular, effective and affordable aircraft protection solutions against the threat of shoulder-launched infrared heat-seeking missiles.

The company currently is the infrared countermeasure lead and system architect for the Commercial Airliner Protection System for United Airlines and the program lead for the Homeland Security Department's Phase I system development and demonstration contract to design an air defense systems for U.S. commercial airlines.

L-3 Communications has about 38,000 employees and annual sales of $5.1 billion. L-3 ranked No. 14 on Washington Technology's 2004 Top 100 list, which measures federal contracting revenue.