DRS Sonar Systems, LLC, a joint venture between DRS Technologies and France’s Thales, has acquired the sonar systems firm Advanced Acoustic Concepts (AAC), giving it a full sonar integration capability and rapid technology insertion capabilities.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
AAC, which is based in Long Island, N.Y., designs and develops technologies in the areas of sonar systems, sonar signal processing, acoustic training systems, and open architecture system and software integration. DRS Sonar said that AAC has a “strong foothold in the United States Navy undersea warfare market,” citing its support on the service’s AN/SQQ anti-submarine combat system onboard Navy destroyers and cruisers. These capabilities and technologies will provide the joint venture “with improved opportunity for rapid inserstion of off-the-shelf technologies,” it said.
DRS Sonar also said that the deal gives it a full sonar integration capability, including undersea warfare software development capabilities to complement technology it already has. Moreover, AAC’s workforce, which is about 220 employees, is highly mobile with its integration and test engineers supporting sea trials and shore-based activities, the joint venture said.
AAC, which has a presence in a number of states, has manufacturing and service capabilities that will improve DRS Sonar’s ability to meet customer requirements.
The acquisition brings the joint venture full sonar integration capability, including critical undersea warfare software development capabilities from AAC to now complement the technology contributions currently in the joint venture from DRS and Thales.
AAC’s highly mobile AAC work force of integration and test engineers supporting sea trials and shore-based activities is a key resource to grow sonar business.
AAC’s U.S.-based manufacturing and service capabilities will provide the joint venture with improved ability to meet customer requirements. AAC said the deal will give it access to new markets while offering its existing customers new products and services.
“Bringing Advanced Acoustic Concepts into the joint venture will enable us to focus on emerging areas in the undersea warfare domain where the customer has identified mission- critical needs,” Allan Cameron, president and CEO of Thales USA, said in a statement. “We expect Advanced Acoustic Concepts to be a formidable competitor in the U.S. undersea warfare market. Our focus will be on providing responsive customer solutions with superior technology at competitive prices and short delivery times.”
The acquisition was preceded by a review by the Committee on Foreign in Investment in the United States. DRS is a subsidiary of Italy’s Finmeccanica.