Raytheon acquires IT security firm for $490m

Defence contractor Raytheon has acquired privately held Blackbird Technologies, which provides cybersecurity, surveillance and secure communications to spy agencies and special operations units, for $420 (A$490) million in a deal announced today.

Blackbird Technologies specializes in products and services that support monitoring and surveillance of mobile targets. Their clientele consists exclusively of defence, defence contractors and law enforcement organizations.

Raytheon said the acquisition would help it expand its capabilities in tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, secure tactical communications and cybersecurity.

US Defence analyst Loren Thompson said the deal was part of Raytheon's three-pronged strategy to counter weaker demand by increasing foreign sales, investing in organic capability and making selected acquisitions..

Andrew Walls, Gartner research vice president for infrastructure protection sees the move as a logical acquisition for Raytheon, given the firm's focus on defence-related markets.

“Raytheon’s purchase of Blackbird Technologies provides a needed expansion of Raytheon’s capabilities both in terms of products and services," Walls told iTnews. 

"Their services are extensive and robust including support for incorporation of surveillance technology and techniques, development of security software, aggressive penetration testing, offensive techniques (including development of targeted exploits) and collection, collation and analysis of complex, rich media intelligence data. They also provide solid capabilities in alternative communications channels (encrypted network, satellite, etc.) to enable overt/covert connectivity to and from hostile locations,” Walls said.