Headquartered in Torrance, CA, EDD is a recognized market supplier in the design, manufacture and sale of space-qualified high technology components and subsystems used in satellites.

EDD designs and produces space qualified passive microwave devices, Traveling Wave Tubes (TWTs), amplifiers and electric propulsion and radio frequency (RF) products utilized in communications satellites, manned space programs and key commercial and defense systems.

The company serves the worldwide satellite and satellite equipment market, including deep-space exploration spacecraft, with a broad commercial and military customer base that includes Department of Defense (DoD) organizations, including the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force, as well as prime contractors and OEMs.

"EDD is a well-respected technology leader and a national asset in the space, defense and classified markets," said Frank C. Lanza, chairman and chief executive officer of L-3 Communications.

Mr. Lanza said that EDD is a supplier of space-qualified TWTs and Linearized TWT Amplifiers (LTWTAs) for defense and commercial markets, is a world leader in millimeter wave helix TWTs for high data rate communication systems, and supplies an extensive selection of Passive Microwave Devices.

This acquisition, together with the company's microwave group, will enable L-3 to serve a much broader and growing space market.

"As the DoD continues its focus on transformation," continued Mr. Lanza, "two key components of the military's strategy to quickly and effectively respond to threats are network-centric warfare and command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I). EDD has a full array of critical sub-systems and products that can play a role in this transformation."

Mr. Lanza noted that EDD has an extensive catalog of space-qualified microwave devices and has delivered more microwave tubes and accumulated more operating hours in orbit than all of its competitors combined. The company is a key supplier for microwave tubes used in several military defense systems.

"The addition of EDD will compliment our overall product offering in our microwave component products business area," continued Mr. Lanza.

"This will allow us to increase our global product offering and presence in both the military and the commercial markets."

"We expect to be able to expand our penetration in U.S. and foreign space programs as well as utilize these technologies to further expand our presence in various military markets. We are extremely excited about the market potential and new customers this new capability will bring to L-3."

"EDD is also very synergistic with existing L-3 businesses," said Mr. Lanza.

He noted that this acquisition is complimentary in nature and provides new products and new customers for the company's existing Electron Devices business.

In addition, it will expand L-3's network-centric and C4I offerings, which already include Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, secure data links, sensors, SATCOM terminals and telemetry and instrumentation products and services.

Jefferies Quarterdeck, a division of Jefferies and Company, served as financial advisor to L-3 in this transaction.

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