Drew Marine UK has purchased Australia-based aviation solutions provider Flight Data Systems for an undisclosed sum.

Flight Data Systems will report to Drew Marine’s operating unit ACR Electronics and expand the latter’s aviation portfolio that includes ARTEX emergency locator transmitters, and SKYTRAC flight data and communications technology.

The company will continue to function as an independent subsidiary and will retain its existing products, brand, locations, engineering capabilities and sales.

With operations in the UK and US, Flight Data Systems primarily designs and manufactures airborne and ground support equipment, such as its new sentry cockpit voice and flight data recorder.

“With ARTEX and SKYTRAC, we offer a suite of aviation data, tracking, distress alerting, communications and operational integrations.”

The company also provides aviation services for both manned and unmanned applications, various flight data monitoring and flight operations quality assurance services, and flight recorder services and read-outs.

It’s products have Conformité Européenne, Federal Communications Commission, European Aviation Safety Agency and Civil Aviation Safety Authority part 145 certifications, with management systems registered to ISO 9001/AS9100C.

ACR Electronics Aviation and Government Businesses vice-president Michael Wilkerson said: “Flight Data Systems adds a valuable new dimension to our expanding group of aviation companies and we are really looking forward to introducing our customers to such a comprehensive and complementary range of products, technologies and services.

“With ARTEX and SKYTRAC, we offer a suite of aviation data, tracking, distress alerting, communications and operational integrations.

“Now we can expand this offering with the latest airborne data acquisition systems, flight data recorders and ground support equipment.”

ACR Electronics currently serves the marine, aviation, outdoor and military markets.