Curtiss-Wright to buy Safran's aircraft arresting systems business

US industrial conglomerate Curtiss-Wright Corporation plans to expand its defence portfolio by acquiring Safran Aerosystems Arresting Company (SAA) for USD240 million in cash, the buyer announced on 21 January.

SAA's arresting equipment for fixed-wing military aircraft is used on aircraft carriers and on land and will complement Curtiss-Wright's existing landing and recovery systems for military rotorcraft, Curtiss-Wright said. In addition, SAA sells to more than 70 countries, which is expected to give its future owner increased opportunities for foreign military sales.

SAA, which is part of the Aerosystems company within France's Safran Group, will operate within Curtiss-Wright's Naval & Power segment after the acquisition is completed. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2022.

SAA is based in Aston, Pennsylvania, and also has operations in Merpins, France. It employs about 140 people and generated sales of about USD70 million in 2021. Safran did not say why it agreed to divest the business.

Both Curtiss-Wright and Safran have been active on the acquisition front. Curtiss-Wright purchased military communications equipment supplier Pacific Star Communications (PacStar) for USD400 million in late 2020. Safran agreed in late 2021 to buy positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) product provider Orolia for an undisclosed sum by mid-2022.