Britain’s BAE Systems this week said it has completed its acquisition of Arizona-based Advanced Ceramics Research Inc., a producer of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced materials.

“The acquisition of Advanced Ceramics Research allows us to further advance our global Unmanned Aircraft Systems strategy in the United States,” Mike Heffron, president of BAE Systems Electronics, Intelligence & Support, said in a statement. “Their experience and expertise in Small/Mini and Tactical UAS complements the UAS platforms being developed by BAE Systems in the United Kingdom and other home markets.”

BAE announced plans for the $14.7 million acquisition in March (Defense Daily, March 13). In addition to providing BAE with an entr?e into the small and mini UAS market, it also gives the company a manufacturing presence in the United States for UAS.