Artist rendition of remote sensing satellites. Photo: MDA

[Via Satellite 07-15-2014] Canada-based MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) has acquired a U.S. company with expertise in radar and information sensors for an undisclosed amount. The terms of the agreement have not been disclosed and, in addition to meeting customary closing conditions, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) must approve the transaction.

According to MDA, the unnamed business has approximately 170 employees and generates annual revenues of $40 million. MDA anticipates this acquisition will give the company an edge in pursuing U.S. surveillance and intelligence contracts.

“One of our long-term strategic objectives is to expand our presence in the U.S. surveillance market, and in particular, to increase our radar information and systems related business, said Daniel Friedmann, MDA’s CEO. “We believe that the unique radar information processing capability we are adding through this acquisition, together with SSL’s large space program capability, provide us with a strong platform to pursue this objective.”

MDA expects the transaction to complete by the end of 2014, at which point the business will become part of MDA Information Systems in Gaithersburg, Md.