Aerospace and defence company Cobham has made an American investment with the purchase of Trivec-Avant for $126 million (£80 million).

Aerospace and defence company Cobham has made an American investment with the purchase of Trivec-Avant in deal worth $126 million (£80 million).

California-headquartered Trivec-Avant operates in the satellite communication (SATCOM) sector and supplies antennas, primarily for transport and logistics providers. According to a statement, the business specialises in high frequency SATCOM technologies and mobile communications.

Chief executive officer of Cobham, Andy Stevens, comments: ‘The acquisition of Trivec-Avant Corporation brings us a range of SATCOM antenna products and communication technologies that are highly complementary to our existing business, together with opportunities to win further work from a long established customer base, as well as from our multiple routes to market.’

Dorset-headquartered Cobham plans to use the acquisition to expand into its chosen target markets and increase investment in ‘highly differentiated’ technology.

Under the terms of the deal, $18 million is payable, in addition to the initial $126 million consideration on a debt and cash free basis, between 2013 and 2014 dependent on performance.

For the year ending 31 December 2010, Trivec-Avant reported an operating profit of $22.4 million and had assets, excluding debt and cash, of $11.7 million.

Cobham has also announced the securing of a $60 million contract from Brazil-based business Emraer to provide aerial refuelling systems for the Brazilian KC-390 aircraft.

Iain Gibson, vice president of Cobham Mission Equipment, says: ‘This is an important and significant programme with a new customer and provides a platform for Cobham to further grow its business in Brazil.’

Cobham has 11,000 staff across three divisions and has annual revenue of $3 billion.