L-3 Communications buys HSA

L-3 Communications Inc. has acquired HSA Systems Pty Ltd., a manufacturer of geospatial, marine and electronic systems for maritime and defense customers. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The North Sydney, Australia, company compiles nautical charts and supplies customized software and information technology systems to the Australian Hydrographic Services, the Royal Australian Navy and Land Information New Zealand.

The maritime industry uses HSA data to identify details of ocean and coastal areas ? including navigational hazards, tides and currents ? and provide real-time information for vessel tracking.

The acquisition of HSA will enhance L-3's current line of networked undersea solutions and power and control systems to provide fully integrated system solutions, the New York company said.

HSA will become a business unit within the L-3 Nautronix division in Australia, strengthening its product and market position in the Pacific region. Nautronix provides wireless, long-range underwater communications, portable undersea test ranges, diver computers and electronic console map displays.

Mike Gallagher, managing director at L-3 Nautronix, will lead the integrated business, which will extend L-3's global presence with offices in Fremantle, Sydney and Wollongong, Australia; and Wellington, New Zealand. HSA has annual sales of about $10 million.

L-3 Communications ranks No. 9 on Washington Technology's 2007 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.