Ultralife Corp. [ULBI] has acquired the tactical communications products business of SAIC [SAI] for $5.7 million in cash, giving it direct access to the handheld radio/amplifier market.

SAIC’s communications products business had $7 million in sales for the fiscal year that ended Jan. 31. The business designs, develops and manufactures amplifiers, man-portable systems, cables, power solutions and ancillary communications equipment that will be sold by Ultralife under the current products’ brand name, AMTI. Customers include global militaries, special operations forces, law enforcement and the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance community.

“Adding a well respected line of superior military communications system products and a first class design team will strengthen our competitive position in the United States and international government/defense sectors,” John Kavazanjian, president and CEO of Ultralife, said in a statement. “In particular, AMTI amplifiers carry various standardization and interoperability certifications, including the Joint Interoperability Test Command certification, which are important prerequisites for meeting today’s customer requirements.”