Leidos completes acquisition of Aussie special missions biz

Reston-based Leidos has completed its acquisition of Australia-based Cobham Aviation Services’ special mission subsidiary from British technology aerospace manufacturer Cobham Ltd., the Fortune 500 federal contractor announced Monday.

The $215 million deal was first announced in August. The acquisition adds airborne surveillance and search and rescue missions to Leidos’ Australia portfolio and marks its entry into the country’s aviation market. The business will be integrated into and operate as part of Leidos Australia, the company said in a news release.

“We are excited and eager to formally welcome Cobham’s Special Mission team to the Leidos family,” Leidos Chairman and CEO Roger Krone said in a statement. “Bringing in the special mission business will build on our global airborne ISR capabilities while providing new opportunities for growth. Together with Leidos Australia leadership, I look forward to working with this talented team.”

The business owns and operates 14 modified aircraft that deliver critical services to the Australian government, including contracting with its Border Force, a part of the Department of Home Affairs, to patrol the country’s 8.2 million square kilometer exclusive economic zone. It also provides fixed-wing search and rescue operations for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and operates a specialized mission training system for more than 30 mission aircrew annually.

“It’s a milestone day for all of us at Cobham Special Mission and the beginning of a new and exciting chapter as we become Leidos,” said Leidos Australia Vice President of Airborne Solutions James Woodhams, who previously served as managing. director for Cobham Special Mission. “Leidos is a recognized employer of choice and I’m really excited about what being part of Leidos means for our people.”

Leidos Australia works with the Australian government to provide services across information technology projects and services, intelligence and defense missions systems. Leidos Australia has 2,000 employees and is headquartered in Melbourne.