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BAE Systems, a UK-based defence contractor, has announced its plans to acquire satellite manufacturer Ball Aerospace for .6 billion in cash. Ball Aerospace, headquartered in Colorado, specializes in building satellite buses, instruments, and sensors for spacecraft. Its products are not limited to space technologies, as it also provides communication, navigation, and identification antenna suites for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, as well as the ship-based SeaSparrow/Stalker long-range sensor system used for threat detection. Its diverse customer base includes the US Department of Defense, US Intelligence Community, and NASA.

During a conference call, BAE Systems chief executive Charles Woodburn expressed excitement about the acquisition, stating that it presents a unique opportunity to add a high-quality, technology-focused business to BAE Systems’ existing multidomain portfolio. The company was particularly impressed by the recent and projected growth rates of Ball Aerospace, which saw its annual revenue nearly double in the last five years to .2 billion, and is expected to potentially reach billion by the end of the decade.

Woodburn emphasized the rarity of a business with such strong growth prospects becoming available, adding that BAE Systems had been interested in acquiring Ball Aerospace for some time.

Ball Corporation, the parent company of Ball Aerospace, stated that the decision to sell the business was aimed at reducing debt and focusing on its core activity of manufacturing aluminium cans for beverages and consumer products. The sale of Ball Aerospace follows their announcement in June that they were considering options for their Aerospace business.

The acquisition of Ball Aerospace will allow BAE Systems to further expand its presence in the rapidly growing space market and enhance its technological capabilities.

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