General Dynamics to buy secure-networking company Fortress Technologies

Defense and aerospace contractor General Dynamics Corp yesterday said that it will buy secure-networking company Fortress Technologies Inc, for an undisclosed all-cash deal.

With about 70 employees, Westford, Massachusetts-based Fortress produces a portfolio of mesh networking products that enable secure wireless local area network (LAN) capabilities for battlefield logistics, convoy, command post and soldier applications. 

Built on commercially available technologies, Fortress' rugged products improve soldiers' combat effectiveness and survivability by increasing their access to information. 

The company is the wireless-technology provider for the US Combat Service Support Automated Information System Interface (CAISI) system, the US army's only certified tactical wireless LAN.  Fortress also provides technology across the federal market to customers including the US Marine Corps, the Navy, the National Guard, combatant commands and the US Department of Energy.

Fortress will be managed by General Dynamics C4 Systems, which is based in Scottsdale, Arizona.  General Dynamics C4 Systems designs, manufactures and delivers secure communications systems, command and control systems and operational hardware to customers within the US Department of Defence, the intelligence community and federal civilian agencies, and to international customers.

The acquisition has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is subject to normal regulatory review.  General Dynamics expects the transaction to be completed in the third quarter of 2011.