TCS to acquire Trident Space & Defense to bolster expertise in secure wireless communications
ANNAPOLIS, Md., 31 Dec. 2010. Trident Space & Defense LLC in Torrance, Calif., which specializes in semiconductor packaging, data storage solid state drives, high-reliability electronic components, and turnkey full-tracking ground stations, will become part of the TeleCommunication Systems Inc. (TCS) government segment in Annapolis, Md., as part of an acquisition announced this month.
The acquisition of Trident will extend TCS expertise in end-to-end secure wireless communications and provide an AS/EN/JISQ9100/ISO 9001-certified engineering design and packaging center for TCS’s SwiftLink line of satellite-based communication systems.
TCS (NASDAQ:TSYS) signed an agreement to acquire Trident Space & Defense for cash and 3 million shares of TCS Class A common stock from the private equity firm Admiralty Partners Inc. in Los Angeles. Trident was originally established as TRW Components International in 1976, and is a source for satellite communications engineered solutions. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2011.
Trident Space & Defense has three business units: the Advanced Products Group, which provides advanced semiconductor packaging solutions for custom multichip modules, systems-in-a-package, memory modules as well as solid state drives (SSD) in ruggedized stand-alone and embedded component configurations; the Electronic Components business unit, which is a supplier of high-reliability electronic components and design support services to the space industry; and the Ground Systems business unit, which supplies custom turnkey full-tracking ground stations to the commercial space industry.
Trident executives expect 2011 revenue to be more than $40 million, which will be reported as part of the TCS government segment. As part of the acquisition, Jon Kutler, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Admiralty Partners, will join the TCS board of directors.
“Trident’s position as a key vendor to foreign governments and commercial space customers substantially broadens our global footprint,” says Maurice B. Tosé, TCS chairman and chief executive officer. For more information contact Trident Space & Defense online at www.tridentsd.com, TCS at www.telecomsys.com, or Admiralty Partners at www.admiraltypartners.com.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
