KBR to acquire Centauri to bolster space and cyber work

By Marjorie Censer / August 19, 2020 at 9:47 AM

KBR said today it has agreed to acquire Centauri from private-equity firm Arlington Capital Partners for about $800 million in cash in a bid to expand its space and intelligence work.

Centauri, which is headquartered in Chantilly, VA, has more than 1,750 employees, about three-quarters of whom have special-access clearances.

The acquisition is just the latest for KBR, which has dramatically increased its U.S. government work in recent years by picking up Wyle, Honeywell Technology Solutions and SGT.

"The Centauri acquisition will be transformative for KBR," the contractor said. "With Centauri, KBR significantly expands its military space and intelligence businesses and builds on its already strong cybersecurity and missile defense solutions."

KBR said the deal will give it a "more balanced and more differentiated portfolio that is resilient across business cycles."

Centauri is estimated to produce in 2021 sales of more than $700 million and to have more than $1 billion in contract backlog and options. KBR said the company will become part of its government solutions segment.

The transaction is expected to close later this year.

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