Fort Worth-based Elbit Systems of America has bought a night vision technology company for $350 million in cash. Elbit completed the acquisition of Harris Night Vision from L3Harris Technologies on Sept.15.
The acquisition was first announced in April, as part of a regulatory requirement associated with the merger between L3 Technologies and Harris Corp. The resulting company is based in Florida.
Night Vision produces advanced night vision and vision-enhancing technologies, including the F5032 night vision binocular. The company has worked with the U.S. Army in its Enhanced Night Vision Goggle programs for more than 15 years and has more than 90 patents related to night vision technology.
Erik Fox has taken the helm as vice president and general manager of the night vision business at Elbit Systems of America, a subsidiary of Israel-based Elbit Systems Ltd. providing products and systems solutions focusing on U.S. military, homeland security, medical instrumentation and commercial aviation.
“As the newest business unit within the Elbit America family, we’re going to leverage our legacy and tap into the expertise of the larger company,” Fox said in a news release. “Together, we can supply warfighters and first responders around the world with the innovative solutions they need to protect and save lives.”
“Under Erik Fox’s leadership of the Night Vision business, Elbit America has the ability to integrate night vision capabilities into future optical sensing and targeting systems that we can provide our customers,” said Raanan Horowitz, president and CEO of Elbit Systems of America. “We’re eager to leverage Erik’s experience and build the future of vision-enhancing solutions.”
Elbit Systems of America also announced that it will supply advanced systems to Boeing’s T-X advanced pilot training aircraft developed for the U.S. Air Force. The T-X program was created to train Air Force pilots to fly the fifth-generation advanced fighters like the F-22 and F-35.
The program simulates the avionics, sensors and weapons used on the fifth-generation aircraft, and enables pilots to virtually operate those systems while flying the less expensive to operate T-X aircraft.
Elbit has not disclosed the value of its deal with Boeing or the U.S. Air Force.