Reston-based CACI acquires SA Photonics Inc. for $275M

Reston-based Fortune 500 contractor CACI International Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire Los Gatos, California-based SA Photonics Inc., CACI announced Wednesday.

Total purchase consideration is $275 million. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year.

SA Photonics develops and deploys multi-domain photonics technologies for free-space optical (FSO) communications, an area of technology that uses light to wirelessly transmit data for telecommunications or computer networks, an alternative to optical fiber cables.

The acquisition broadens CACI’s capabilities as the leading U.S.-based FSO laser communications provider, supporting space, airborne and terrestrial missions to U.S. government and commercial customers. SA Photonics’ IP technology offers low size, weight, power and cost solutions that transmit data 25 times faster than current radio frequency systems, while using payloads that are half the size.

Through this acquisition, CACI increases development and manufacturing capacity within the United States by expanding its modern photonics production facilities in California, Florida and New Jersey.

“For two decades, CACI has successfully delivered FSO communications to advance evolutionary technology for the protection and exploration of the contested space domain,”  CACI President and CEO John Mengucci said in a statement. “Our innovative space-based photonics technology delivers enhanced capability for missions ranging from national security to human spaceflight. With SA Photonics, our combined technology enables us to deliver immediate FSO communications across all-domains.”

CACI has 22,000 employees.