Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Terran Orbital [NYSE: LLAP], a global leader of satellite-based solutions primarily supporting the aerospace and defense industries.
Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite products primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers.
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready.
Boca Raton-based Terran Orbital brings a high throughput, robotic manufacturing capacity and high-performing modular space vehicle designs. Combined with Lockheed Martin’s record of performance and innovation, this transaction will usher in an even broader range of capabilities and value for customers. Lockheed Martin uses Terran Orbital’s satellites for its work, most notably with the Space Development Agency’s Transport and Tracking Layer programs, and in several of its self-funded technology demonstrations.
“We’ve worked with Terran Orbital for more than seven years on a variety of successful missions,” said Robert Lightfoot, President, Lockheed Martin Space. “Their capabilities, talent and business momentum align with Lockheed Martin Space’s strategic plans – and we’re looking forward to welcoming them to our team. Our customers require advanced technology and even faster product development, and that’s what we can achieve together.”
The transaction stands to pave a path for further advancement, as Lockheed Martin continues to invest in technology, people, and capacity to support future customer needs.
The enterprise value of the transaction is approximately $450 million. Lockheed Martin will acquire Terran Orbital for $0.25 in cash for each outstanding share of common stock and retire its existing debt. This transaction also provides for Lockheed Martin and other current Terran Orbital creditors establishing a new, $30 million working capital facility that has been put in place as of signing.
The transaction is expected to close in fourth quarter of 2024 and is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory and Terran Orbital stockholder approvals. Upon closing, Terran Orbital will remain a commercial merchant supplier to industry.
“This transaction combines our strengths and expertise,” said Marc Bell, chairman, CEO, and Co-ounder of Terran Orbital. “This move will open new opportunities for growth and innovation, and we couldn’t be more excited about the future. Access to Lockheed Martin’s incredible engineers and world class facilities will only accelerate our business plan to provide low-cost, high-value solutions to our ever-growing customer base.”
Terran Orbital has a track record of supporting more than 80 missions over the past decade for government and commercial customers with complex mission requirements, from low earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. As of today, Lockheed Martin is Terran Orbital’s largest customer. This longstanding working relationship between the companies underpins a strong cultural alignment and ability to recognize synergies between the two businesses.
Terran Orbital joined the Lockheed Martin Ventures (LM Ventures) portfolio – a fund that makes investments in technology innovations to drive growth in existing, adjacent and new segments for the company – with an initial investment in 2017. LM Ventures has since made two additional investments in Terran Orbital in 2020 and 2022. This marks the first LM Ventures company that Lockheed Martin has sought to acquire since founding the fund in 2007.
For more information, visit the respective companies’ websites at www.terranorbital.com (Terran Orbital) and www.lockheedmartin.com (Lockheed Martin).