Raytheon acquires remote sensing, UAS tech company

TUCSON, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Raytheon reports it has enhanced the prospects of growing its unmanned aerial systems business through the acquisition of Sensintel Inc.

Sensintel, headquartered in Arizona, was a privately held company specializing in expendable remote sensing and UAS engineering for intelligence and special operations communities. The Tucson company was created in 2013 when Britain's BAE Systems sold its Unmanned Aircraft Programs.

Among Sensintel's customers: U.S. Special Operations Command, the Office of Naval Research and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.

Raytheon said the company will now become part of its Missile Systems business.

"Sensintel's expertise in unmanned aircraft systems solutions makes it a natural fit with Raytheon's Advanced Missile Systems product line," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. "The acquisition of Sensintel enhances the growth prospects of our UAS business and the advanced capabilities we can offer our customers."

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed but Raytheon said the deal was "not expected to materially impact Raytheon's sales or earnings in the first quarter or full year 2015.