US aerospace and defence firm Rockwell Collins (NYSE:COL) has acquired avionic satcoms specialist ICG in a US$64m deal to broaden its flight deck and cabin connectivity portfolio.
Rockwell is paying an initial US$50m for Virginia-based ICG…
US aerospace and defence firm Rockwell Collins (NYSE:COL) has acquired avionic satcoms specialist ICG in a US$64m deal to broaden its flight deck and cabin connectivity portfolio.
Rockwell is paying an initial US$50m for Virginia-based ICG (International Communications Group) and could pay a further US$14m after closing the transaction.
ICG provides satellite-based voice and data products and services for the aviation industry. Its solutions include satcoms terminals for US MSS operator Iridium, which recently picked Rockwell to help build broadband products for its next generation satellite constellation.
Kent Statler, COO for Rockwell’s commercial systems division, said: “When coupled with our broad array of network solutions, including our Arinc aviation networks and other satellite communication services, [the ICG acquisition] accelerates our vision of being a leader in end-to-end information management solutions for airlines and business jet operators.”
Rockwell bought Arinc in 2013 for about US$1.39bn in cash as it sought to strengthen its commercial business in the face of government budget cuts.
The group furthered its commercial focus in July 2014 by selling its military ground-based satcoms portfolio.
Iridium, meanwhile, expects to launch the first two satellites of its next generation constellation this October on a Dnepr rocket. It aims to launch the rest of the 72-strong constellation, called Iridium Next, with SpaceX before the end of 2017.
Iridium also has a joint venture with air navigation service providers called Aireon, which will use a payload on Iridium Next to provide satellite-based aircraft tracking services.