L-3 to acquire fellow contractor

L-3 Communications, a provider of secure communications systems and products, announced Nov. 19 that it has agreed to acquire Emergent Government Services Group for about $38 million in cash.

GSG, based in Vienna, Va., is an engineering and information services company with expertise in C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), modeling and simulation, and space science data systems development.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Emergent Information Technologies Inc., GSG is a contractor for the U.S. Air Force Studies and Analyses Agency, developing and operating many air campaign modeling and simulation tools.

The company is also a systems engineering and technical assistance partner with the Air Force, the Army, the Navy and intelligence agencies. It also provides space science research for NASA.

In addition to its security offerings, L-3 Communications supplies avionics and ocean products, training products, microwave components, and telemetry, instrumentation, space and wireless products. Its customers include the Defense Department and some U.S. intelligence agencies.

Frank Lanza, chairman and chief executive officer of New York City-based L-3, said GSG "is well-respected for its solid programs, excellent customer relationships and its scientists, engineers and technicians."

Lanza said in addition to the firms' synergy in developing C4ISR architectures for Defense customers, he expects similar benefits in war games simulation and modeling, and continued support of the space program.