General Atomics Buys IJK Controls to Drive UAS Tech Expansion

General Atomics has bought the intellectual property, facilities and other assets of Pasadena, Calif.-based gimbal maker IJK Controls for an undisclosed sum to expand the features of unmanned aircraft system offerings.

The deal allows General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. to integrate IJK Controls’ stabilization technology with UAS payload and sensor systems, GA-ASI said Thursday.

Gimbals are designed to stabilize, point and track objects such as cameras, antennas and sensors while mounted on a moving platform.

Linden Blue, CEO of GA-ASI, said the company will apply IJK Controls’ experience developing airborne gimbals as part of product portfolio and customer mission support growth initiatives.

GA-ASI aims to develop gimbaled and turret-based radio frequency and electro-optical/infrared products for communications, weapons support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance applications.

IJK, which has AS9100 and ISO9001 certifications, also offers hardware and software for gimbal sustainment programs including repairs and integration with changing vehicles and mission systems.

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