L3 strengthens intelligence collection and surveillance capabilities with cyber acquisitions

L3 Technologies announced on July 11 that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Azimuth Security and Linchpin Labs, two information security businesses that significantly strengthen L3’s existing C6ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber-Defense and Combat Systems, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) capabilities and create synergies to drive future growth in cyber and international markets.

“These acquisitions sharpen our capabilities, heighten our responsiveness and advance L3’s prime position as a C6ISR solutions provider,” said Christopher Kubasik, L3’s chairman, chief executive officer and president. “We are making targeted investments in cutting-edge technologies and integrating them with existing capabilities to support our domestic and international customers in strategically important business areas.”

Based in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, Azimuth and Linchpin operate in the strategic fields of computer network operations and vulnerability research for intelligence partners and other government, defense and security agencies around the world.

“These pioneering intelligence solutions – the ‘I’ in ISR – give our customers an intelligence advantage through next-generation network security and threat mitigation,” said Jeff Miller, L3’s senior vice president and president of its Sensor Systems business segment.

The acquired companies will become L3 Trenchant upon completion of the transaction and will help deliver advanced capabilities integral to a variety of complex ISR and classified missions.

The combined purchase price for the two businesses was approximately AUD$270 million (approximately USD$200 million). The purchase price is subject to an upward adjustment of up to AUD$43 million (approximately USD$32 million), payable in L3 common stock, based on the combined company’s post-acquisition sales for each of the 12-month periods ending June 30, 2019 to 2021, which would be payable in 2019 to 2021.

This transaction is anticipated to be completed during the second half of 2018, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. For 2019, Trenchant is expected to add approximately $65 million to net sales after amortization of acquired deferred revenue and to be slightly earnings per share accretive after employee retention expenses and business combination purchase accounting adjustments, including intangible asset amortization expenses. The purchase price, excluding the potential contingent consideration (described above), represents a multiple of approximately 7x Trenchant’s estimated 2019 earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).

Source: L3