Goodrich Corp. in November signed an agreement with an investment affiliate of J.F. Lehman & Co. to acquire guidance and navigation system supplier Atlantic Inertial Systems (AIS) for $375 million. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year.

AIS was created following its divestiture from BAE Systems to J.F. Lehman & Co., in August 2007. It employs 800 people at facilities in Cheshire, Conn; Heath, Ohio; Totowa, N.J., and Plymouth, UK. Sales this year are expected to be $180 million. 

The company’s products include inertial sensors, inertial measurement units (IMUs), integrated IMU/GPS systems, stability systems, and terrain avoidance systems for missiles, military aircraft and land systems.

The AIS Terprom digital terrain system, which provides non-GPS navigation and obstacle avoidance, is in service on 5000 aircraft, including the Eurofighter Typhoon and Royal Air Force Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer.

AIS will become part of Goodrich’s Sensors and Integrated Systems business, within its Electronic Systems segment. In addition to AIS, Goodrich, Charlotte, N.C., recently acquired Sensors Unlimited, TEAC Aerospace, Recon/Optical and Cloud Cap Technology.

“This acquisition provides the company with another high growth platform in the defense market that builds on existing Goodrich capabilities,” said Marshall Larsen, Goodrich chairman, president and CEO. “AIS’s portfolio of inertial sensors is an excellent complement to Goodrich’s guidance, control and navigation systems. Combining our engineering strengths and technology will enable us to further support U.S. and allied forces across the full spectrum of guidance and control systems.”