Lockheed Martin buys Procerus

Desert Hawk

Lockheed Martin may have just fired the starting gun on sUAS autopilot maker acquisitions. Well done the Procerus team!

Lockheed Martin  is acquiring Procerus Technologies, maker of autopilot, targeting, and payload technologies for micro unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) based in Orem, Utah. Procerus customers include domestic and international governments, as well as industry and academic institutions. The company’s Kestrel autopilot system, among the smallest and lightest full-featured micro autopilot system, is well suited for surveillance and reconnaissance applications.

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors (MS2) officials will manage the Procerus business. MS2, in Washington, D.C., and part of the corporation’s Electronic Systems business area, has experience with the Desert Hawk, Persistent Threat Detection System aerostats, K-MAX unmanned helicopter system, and high-altitude airship programs.

“This acquisition is consistent with our focus on acquiring capabilities that enhance our product portfolio and align with our customers’ strategic priorities,” said Bob Stevens, Lockheed Martin Chairman and CEO. “Small unmanned aerial vehicles are low-cost, highly effective tools for our military, and the expertise Procerus brings will enhance the value we offer to our customers.”

Founded in 2004 and based in Orem, Utah, Procerus is a privately held company that provides autopilot, targeting and payload technologies for micro UAS to domestic and international governments, as well as industry and academic institutions. Among its key technologies is the Kestrel autopilot system, the smallest and lightest full-featured micro autopilot system on the market – ideal for surveillance and reconnaissance applications.

“Our purpose is to bring innovative and meaningful technologies to this critical capability for the military and future customers,” said Todd Titensor, chief executive officer, Procerus Technologies. “Becoming a part of Lockheed Martin will allow us to advance these goals and accelerate our ability to reach them more quickly.”

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors (MS2) will manage the Procerus business. MS2, based in Washington, D.C., is part of the Corporation’s Electronic Systems business area and has experience within this area with its Desert Hawk, Persistent Threat Detection System aerostats, K-MAX unmanned helicopter system, and high altitude airship programs.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

Gary Mortimer

Founder and Editor of sUAS News | Gary Mortimer has been a commercial balloon pilot for 25 years and also flies full-size helicopters. Prior to that, he made tea and coffee in air traffic control towers across the UK as a member of the Royal Air Force.