Communications & Power Industries (CPI) has acquired Orbital Systems and Quorum Communications. The acquired companies design and manufacture associated ground-based full-motion antenna products that play a key role in communications applications. Orbital Systems provides antenna systems primarily for communications with earth observation satellites in the low earth orbit (LEO) and telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C) applications, while Quorum Communications, its sister company, provides satellite microwave receivers, downconverters and other communications products.
Orbital Systems' and Quorum Communications' antenna products are thoughtfully designed for very high reliability and ease of operation, even in the harsh environments to which earth observation antennas are subject. Additionally, the companies have demonstrated a winning combination of extensive systems-level expertise, well-chosen antenna pedestal technology, reasonably priced solutions, and a forward-facing architecture designed to address opportunities for satellite communications programs with medium earth orbit and low earth orbit satellite customers. Their approach, products and technology are an excellent complement to CPI's existing antenna product offerings.
CPI intends to retain the leadership, personnel and facilities of the newly acquired companies. The three co-founders and principals, Carl Schoeneberger, Allan Bundens and Richard Fogle, will join CPI. CPI intends to continue to utilize Orbital Systems' and Quorum Communications' shared manufacturing facilities in Irving, Texas.
Coupled with CPI's recent purchase of the large-diameter satellite communications antenna family from Viasat, the acquisition of Orbital Systems and Quorum Communications enables CPI to offer commercial and government customers a comprehensive range of limited-motion and full-motion antenna products. The acquired companies will be integrated into CPI's Antenna Systems Division, bringing proven, reliable, innovative and synergistic technology and products to an already broad portfolio of advanced antenna products for communications, telemetry and radar applications:
- For communications applications, CPI's antenna products comprise limited- and full-motion antenna products and range from under one meter to 18 meters in size. These include data link products for line-of-sight communications (from and among ground-based, airborne and shipboard systems) and a variety of antenna products to address satellite communications applications related to all types of geostationary (GEO), medium earth orbit (MEO) and LEO satellites.
- For telemetry applications, CPI provides a number of telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C) products that enable incredibly precise tracking of fast-moving objects and aerial vehicles. CPI's telemetry antenna products include ground-based, transportable, mobile and shipboard systems.
- For radar applications, CPI's antenna products include direction finders, air traffic control antennas and weather radar antennas up to 14 meters in size.
