Mercury Computer Systems Inc., a trusted ISR subsystems provider, announced that it has completed the acquisition of LNX Corp. Based in Salem, NH, LNX designs and builds next generation RF receivers for Signals Intelligence, Communications Intelligence as well as Electronic Attack applications. Under the terms of a stock purchase agreement, Mercury acquired LNX for an all-cash purchase price of $31.0 M plus an earn-out of up to $5.0 M payable upon the achievement of financial targets in calendar years 2011 and 2012. The acquisition was funded with cash on hand, and is expected to be neutral to modestly accretive within the first year.
Mercury also reported preliminary financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2010. All results are presented and compared on a continuing operations basis. Revenues are expected to be approximately $55.5 M, compared to $45.2 M in the second quarter of fiscal 2010, while GAAP income from continuing operations is expected to be approximately $0.20 per diluted share, compared to $0.08 per diluted share for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to exceed the high end of the company’s prior guidance, and cash flows from operating activities are expected to be a net inflow of approximately $8.1 M, compared to a net inflow of $5.2 M in the second quarter of fiscal 2010.
“We are very pleased to have completed the acquisition of LNX Corp. and with our preliminary second quarter results. LNX is well-aligned with Mercury in terms of capitalizing on our existing program presence while providing capabilities that will become the standard-bearer for the EW systems we intend to target in the coming years. LNX is on a strong growth trajectory, which is a credit to its technological capabilities and unique program presence,” said Mark Aslett, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mercury Computer Systems Inc.
“With the acquisition of LNX, Mercury now delivers the core radio frequency and signal processing for the JCREW 3.3 next generation counter-IED system. JCREW 3.3 is potentially Mercury’s largest single program and this acquisition increases Mercury’s content by more than 40 percent,” Aslett added.
“In addition, the acquisition of LNX combined with our Echotek Product Group (EPG), a leader in digital receivers previously acquired by Mercury, paves the way for Mercury to develop a new generation of software-defined subsystems designed to detect, intercept and defeat current and next generation signals of interest on land, at sea and in the air,” Aslett concluded.
“We are excited to be a part of Mercury as we have a shared vision for success in our common markets,” said Lamberto Raffaelli, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, LNX Corp. “Joining Mercury strongly positions us to continue expanding our current product line, while delivering the excellent levels of service and support our customers have come to expect. In addition, current and new LNX customers will clearly benefit from Mercury’s financial and R&D strength.”
LNX’s operations will be combined with Mercury’s Echotek Product Group (EPG) to form the new Microwave and Digital Solutions (MDS) group. The MDS group will specialize in the development of RF and mixed-signal application-ready subsystems and components for EW - SIGINT customers. Already a world-class supplier of rugged, mixed-signal products and technologies to the defense industry, the combination of LNX with EPG will enable Mercury to expand its ability to meet the growing need for more complete SIGINT solutions at the tactical edge, from RF through processing and exploitation to the network interface.
