DULLES, Va., April 5 (UPI) -- U.S. company Orbital Sciences has acquired a General Dynamics' spacecraft solutions unit in a move to expand its footprint in the defense satellite market.
Orbital completed the purchase of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems' spacecraft development and manufacturing business along with the unit's 135,000-square-foot manufacturing and test facility.
The strategic acquisition is part of an effort by Orbital, a small and medium class rockets and space systems developer; to strengthen is presence in the national security space systems market.
"With the addition of important new strategic customer relationships, a broad range of complementary satellite products and engineering capabilities, and a state-of-the-art production facility, we have significantly strengthened our competitive position in the defense and intelligence, civil government and commercial satellite markets," David Thompson, Orbital chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement.
