Adding to its growing franchise of unmanned maritime system capabilities, L3 Technologies [LLL] on Monday said it has acquired ASV Global, a United Kingdom-based developer and manufacturer of unmanned surface vessels and related technology for commercial, scientific, military and security applications.
Terms of the deal, which closed on Sept. 20, were not disclosed. ASV also has operations in the U.S. and has about 150 employees.
L3 previously has acquired two small companies that make autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and related technologies, including OceanServer in 2017. The OceanServer business provides the torpedo-like Iver family of AUVs.
The ASV deal gives L3 unmanned surface vessel (USV) systems and autonomous vessel control technology. ASV has developed several families of USVs that look like small patrol craft, range from 10- to 42-feet long and can be used for naval gunnery training and weapons testing, offshore and inshore surveying, environmental monitoring, port and harbor security, mine sweeping, anti-submarine warfare, remote sensing and surveillance.
L3 said the ASV acquisition enhances its full spectrum of unmanned maritime capabilities.
“Autonomous capabilities for surface ships and undersea vessels are top priorities for our naval and commercial maritime customers and we are increasing our investments to lead in this strategic growth area and strengthen L3’s position as a leading supplier of maritime solutions,” Christopher Kubasik, L3’s chairman, president and CEO, said in a statement. “The addition of L3 ASV enables us to deliver both unmanned surface and undersea vehicle technologies to an expanded international customer base and take a prime contractor position on major unmanned systems.”
L3 ASV is now part of L3’s Communications & Networked Systems segment, which is led by Sean Stackley.
Houlihan Lokey was ASV’s financial adviser on the deal.