Viasat Completes Sale of
Link 16 Tactical Data Links Business to L3Harris
Technologies for $1.96 Billion
January 3, 2023
Viasat Inc. completed the sale
of its Link 16 Tactical Data Links (TDL) business to
L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) for approximately
$1.96 billion in cash. The net proceeds to Viasat
are expected to be approximately $1.8 billion after
estimated taxes, fees and other expenses. Viasat
intends to use the proceeds to reduce net leverage
and increase liquidity.
The Link 16 TDL business had
approximately $400 million of revenue and an
estimated $125 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the 12
months ended June 30, 2022, when burdened by the
estimated amount of allocable overhead and corporate
expenses expected approximately one year after
closing.
“We thank the employees who
transferred to L3Harris as a result of today’s
closing. We greatly appreciate their contribution to
Viasat,” said Mark Dankberg, CEO and Chairman,
Viasat. “Completing the sale of the Link 16 TDL
business to L3Harris supports our transition towards
a greater focus on global satellite services. It
also strengthens our balance sheet, and reduces net
debt and interest expense - supporting our path to
positive free cash flow.”
Viasat is building an
integrated satellite services platform for global
mobile and fixed commercial and government markets.
Completing the transaction supports this focus.
Viasat’s Government Systems segment will build on
three main areas: broadband and narrowband satcom
services and associated hybrid network technology;
information assurance and cybersecurity; and an
emerging portfolio of space-based technology and
services, including LEO to GEO relay, networks for a
range of earth observation and sensor systems,
alternative position, navigation and timing (PNT),
and space situational awareness.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
served as lead financial advisor and PJT Partners
served as financial advisor to Viasat. Latham &
Watkins LLP serves as legal advisor to Viasat.