BAE to Buy Collins’ Military GPS, Raytheon’s Tactical Radio Businesses for $2.2B

BAE Systems has entered into a definitive Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire Collins Aerospace’s Military GPS business for $1.925 billion and Raytheon’s Airborne Tactical Radios (ATR) business for $275 million.

“Completion of both acquisitions are subject to successful closure of the Raytheon-United Technologies Corporation (UTC) merger, as well as customary regulatory approvals and conditions,” BAE said in a statement Monday.

The tax benefit for the acquisitions of Collins Aerospace GPS and Raytheon ATR businesses is nearly $365 million and $50 million respectively.

“As militaries around the world increasingly operate in contested environments, the industry-leading, battle-tested products of these two businesses will complement and extend our existing portfolio of solutions we offer our customers,” said Jerry DeMuro, CEO of BAE Systems, Inc. “This unique opportunity to acquire critical radio and GPS capabilities strengthens our position as a leading provider of defense electronics and communications systems, and further supports our alignment with the modernization priorities of the U.S. military and its partners.”

Collins’ military GPS business designs and produces advanced, hardened and secure GPS products to include M-Code, anti-jamming, and anti-spoofing technologies. The business has an installed base of over 1.5 million devices on approximately 280 platform types around the world, including ground, airborne, and weapon systems.

"The GPS business is developing the next generation M-Code GPS technologies for the US military. Utilisation of M-Code increases security, integrity and availability with US Congress having mandated M-Code for all military GPS user equipment after October 2020. The GPS business is well positioned to provide the M-Code upgrade to its existing product base, which includes some of the highest volume Air Force and Army programmes. In total over 700 platforms are anticipated to be transitioned to M-Code," the statement read. 

Raytheon’s ATR business designs, manufactures, and supplies mission-critical communication systems to the US Department of Defense, allied governments, and large defense aircraft manufacturers. “The acquisition provides the business with a certified indigenous encryption capability, an essential part of secure communication. Coupled with the Electronic Systems sector of BAE Systems, Inc., Raytheon’s ATR business will enhance our positions in airborne communications with broad spectrum, multi-band, multi-channel radios including battle proven, robust, anti-jam, and encryption capabilities,” BAE said.