Germany’s Mynaric [MYNA] on Wednesday said that L3Harris Technologies [LHX] has invested $11.6 million for a 7.2 percent stake in the company and makes Mynaric a preferred supplier of laser communications to L3Harris and giving L3Harris access to certain test capabilities.
The collaborative efforts between the two companies are expected to increase with further investments by L3Harris.
“Laser communications is rapidly proliferating as a technological pillar for joint all-domain command and control capabilities across space, air, maritime, and terrestrial domains,” said Daniel Gittsovich, vice president, Corporate Strategy and Development at L3Harris. “Our strategy is focused on disrupting the traditional, lengthy development and acquisition processes. Mynaric will be an excellent partner to rapidly address our customers’ needs for high-bandwidth and secure connectivity.”
Mynaric provides laser communications for space-to-space, space-to-air and space-to-ground data and communications, the HAWK optical communications terminal for airborne and terrestrial applications, and mobile and fixed optical ground communications terminals.
L3Harris’ investment follows joint laser communications demonstrations for airborne applications by the company using Mynaric’s HAWK terminals the last two years.
Mynaric CEO Bulent Altan said in a statement the investment will allow his company “to further accelerate the scale deployments of our industrialized laser communications products across multiple market segments and we look forward to deepening our relationship going forward.”
Mynaric was recently selected by Northrop Grumman [NOC] to provide its CONDOR Mk3 optical communications terminals for Tranche 1 of the U.S. Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer satellite program. Northrop Grumman is providing 42 satellites under the program and awarded Mynaric $36 million for the terminals.
Jefferies defense analyst Greg Konrad on Wednesday said in a client note about the L3Harris investment that it “aligns the two companies and expands motivation of LHX to integrate Mynaric’s laser terminals into their flagship satellite solutions and strengthens ties to another space heavyweight, with NOC the other recent deal.”