UK aerospace and defence group Cobham has continued in its plans to expand into the US by purchasing Washington DC-based Sparta.
Sparta is a provider of systems engineering and scientific and technical support to the US military and intelligence services, and is especially proficient in the areas of missile engineering and information management.
The company has recently been experiencing a market slowdown, achieving operating profits of $28.6 million (£14.5 million) in 2006.
Cobham will fund the $416 million (£211 million) cash purchase using existing facilities.
