L3Harris signed an agreement with Viasat to acquire their Tactical Data Links (TDL) product line. The TDL network is also known as Link 16, and the deal came to approximately $1.96 billion. Link 16 is integrated on military aircraft, ground vehicles, surface vessels and operating bases. Warfighters across multiple domains securely share voice and data communications. L3Harris will acquire the TDL product line from Viasat’s Government Systems Segment, consisting of Link 16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) platforms and associated terminals, which are installed in more than 20,000 U.S. and allied platforms around the world.
“This acquisition is part of our strategic effort to ensure operators have access to the most advanced, multi-function Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) solutions available,” said Christopher E. Kubasik, L3Harris CEO and Chair. “Viasat’s TDL product line naturally aligns with our proven communication capabilities, and we are excited to partner with our customers and coalition allies as we modernize the Link 16 enterprise.”
Layoffs
IronNet
Cybersecurity firm, IronNet is restructuring, dropping its headcount by even more after layoffs back in June. With earnings struggling, the cyber firm is tightening and reorganizing.
“On September 14, 2022, the company announced that it plans to undertake a restructuring that will include a reduction to its current headcount of approximately 250 employees by approximately 35%,” IronNet said. “The company expects to substantially complete this workforce reduction by the end of September 2022. As a result of this workforce reduction, the company expects to incur a pre-tax cash charge for one-time termination benefits, which consist of severance and related costs, of approximately $1 million. The company expects such costs to be the only direct expense of the workforce reduction.”
Hiring
Recorded Future
Boston cybersecurity firm, Recorded Future, is hiring up to 100 employees to work in Ukraine. This hiring push will more than double Recorded Future’s presence in Ukraine by 2025. A key piece of fending off Russian aggression has been in part, the IT talent working behind the scenes. And Recorded Future’s CEO wants to capitalize on that and grow the existing team. Team members working actively supporting Ukraine will have a key skill set on their resume, going forward.
While not U.S. security cleared work, the firm is hiring software developers and engineers. But they also need threat inteligence analysts to study dark web forums for signs of attack. Per a recent press release endorsing Recorded Future, Ukraine’s Yegor Dubynskyi, deputy minister of digital transformation of Ukraine said, “Building a strong Ukrainian software/IT industry with global impact will be instrumental in the rebuilding of Ukraine.”
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Opportunity to Watch
Firefly Aerospace has been selected by The U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) to provide launch services for SSC’s VICTUS NOX mission. The effort was awarded as the Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS-3) Launch Service Task Order under the Orbital Services Program 4 (OSP-4) Contract.
“We are honored to be chosen by Space Force for this important national security mission,” said Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “Now more than ever, our country needs the ability for quick response capabilities to combat threats in space. Our Alpha launch vehicle is designed to drive affordable, rapid access to space. We look forward to working with Lt. Col. Justin Beltz and Lt. Col. MacKenzie Birchenough along with their experienced team at Space Force to help bring this innovation to the national security community.”
This award comes on the heels of Firefly’s first successful orbital flight. Alpha Flight 2 mission successfully launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base on October 1st. The company is also preparing for their upcoming Alpha Flight 3 mission currently being integrated to carry the NASA VCLS Demo 2 payload.
