L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) has received all regulatory clearances needed to advance its acquisition of Link 16, the tactical data link product line of Viasat (Nasdaq: VSAT).
L3Harris agreed to buy Viasat’s TDL portfolio for about $1.96 billion in October and now expects the transaction to close by Jan. 3.
The Melbourne, Florida-based defense contractor plans to add TDLs to the existing Link 16 network as part of a modernization effort to meet Joint All-Domain Command and Control requirements and electronic warfare environments.
“We are in position to close this acquisition much earlier than expected, which means we can welcome our new employees and begin work even earlier on this important modernization effort,” said Christopher Kubasik, chair and CEO of L3Harris.
“The team is excited to deliver advanced tactical data links for this broadly used network, which will give our warfighters distinct advantages in multiple domains,” added Kubasik, a three-time Wash100 awardee.
Viasat’s Link 16 product line generates about $400 million in annual sales and is composed of approximately 450 employees. The TDL technology is installed in more than 20,000 platforms used by the U.S. and its allies worldwide to facilitate sharing of voice and data communications.
The receipt of regulatory approvals for the Link 16 acquisition came days after L3Harris struck a $4.7 billion cash deal to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne (NYSE: AJRD).
