DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (Dasa) has bought a $12 million stake in US Spacehab in a move which makes it the largest shareholder with an 11% holding. Dasa says the deal will boost its involvement in the International Space Station and expand its transatlantic activities. UK engineering group Motherwell Bridge has purchased the Burnley facility of Lucas Aerospace, now part of US giant TRW. The business will be combined with other sites under the name MB Aerospace. DRS Rugged Systems, a UK division of US-based DRS Technologies specialising in secure computer equipment for air, land and sea military environments, has acquired European Data Systems, also of the UK. US electrics group AMETEK has purchased Detroit-based Patriot Sensors & Controls, a specialist in position and aviation sensors. General Dynamics has completed the acquisition of business jet manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace in a stock swap worth $4.8 billion. The deal is expected to boost GD's 1999 turnover to $8.2 billion. Engineering group L.Gardner of the UK has acquired components company Cirqual and its aerospace operations Wollaston Engineering and Thomas Wild. Belgian airport handling specialist AviaPartner has taken over France's Elia, which operates at Nice, Strasbourg and Montpellier. The move means AviaPartner is present at 27 European airports. AlliedSignal is to buy NavRadio of Colorado, a specialist in VHF digital radio design and data link technology. Nordam Group, of Oklahoma, has purchased the thrust reverser business of Finmeccanica's Texan subsidiary Dee Howard for an undisclosed sum. France's Pechiney is to buy the US-based Rolled Products and Cast Plate divisions of Century Aluminium for $248 million. Titan Corp of San Diego has bought Atlantic Aerospace Electronics, a defence and commercial electronics developer.
Source: Flight International