HII to acquire Alion Science and Technology – enhancing its national security solutions portfolio
Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced on July 6 that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Alion Science and Technology for $1.65 billion in cash from Veritas Capital, subject to customary adjustments. Alion is a high value-added, technology-driven solutions provider for the global defense marketplace. The transaction represents an enterprise value-to-expected 2022 adjusted EBITDA1 multiple of approximately 12.2x. Alion will become part of Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Technical Solutions division. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.
Alion provides advanced engineering and R&D services in the areas of ISR, military training and simulation, cyber, data analytics and other next-generation technology based solutions to the DOD and intelligence community customers, with the U.S. Navy representing about one third of current annual revenues. Alion is poised for continued strong growth with over $3 billion in backlog today, with more than $5 billion in estimated contract value and a robust opportunity pipeline. Alion has more than 3,200 employees with over 80% of employees maintaining security clearances.
“We established the Technical Solutions division in 2016 with a vision and strategy focused on partnering with our customers to solve their most pressing challenges,” said Mike Petters, HII’s president and CEO. “Today’s announcement, coupled with our previous investments in leading edge technologies, such as cybersecurity and autonomous systems, reflects our commitment to stay on the cutting edge of critical, high-growth national security solutions and generate significant long-term value for our shareholders.”
“The combination of Alion and our Technical Solutions business represents a significant value creation opportunity that broadens our capabilities and customer access in our target markets,” said Andy Green, HII executive vice president and president of Technical Solutions. “The experienced Alion team and the highly complementary solutions and products they provide are consistent with the strategic vision we have articulated for the Technical Solutions business, and we are excited about the significant growth potential this combination represents.”
Compelling Strategic Fit
Highly complementary capabilities and customer access in priority growth markets aligned with future U.S. Navy and DOD customers. Alion’s strengths in enabling and supporting Navy simulation and training are closely aligned with existing Huntington Ingalls Industries capabilities and customers. Alion offers leading ISR support and integrated C5 solutions, solidifying key capabilities and talent when combined with HII’s existing C5ISR offerings.
Access to key contracts and leading edge technology development areas of cyber, data analytics, and electronic warfare. Alion expands capabilities, customer reach and addressable market. With a cutting-edge global research footprint, Alion’s innovative technologies and talent are crucial to evolving customer priorities.
Acquisition creates a $2.6B+ revenue products and solutions business. It creates substantial revenue and value creation opportunities over the long-term, further positioning Technical Solutions as a growth driver for Huntington Ingalls Industries.
Strong Projected Financial Opportunities
Transaction is expected to be significantly cash flow accretive in fiscal 2022 and GAAP EPS accretive in fiscal 2023
Expands Technical Solutions’ projected pro forma 2021 to 2024 revenue CAGR to 7% to 9%
Expect Alion to contribute fiscal 2022 revenue of approximately $1.6 billion and Adjusted EBITDA1 of approximately $135 million
Enhances overall HII 2022-2024 FCF1 guidance by ~$200 million
Significant potential incremental long-term revenue synergies identified, particularly in the ISR and advanced military training and simulation markets
Transaction Details
$1.65 billion purchase price
Enterprise value-to-expected 2022 adjusted EBITDA1 multiple of approximately 12.2x
Expect approximately $25 million of one-time transaction and financing related expenses in 2021
Expect to fund the purchase price through a combination of new senior notes and new term loan facility
Consistent Capital Allocation Priorities
Generational investment in shipyards concluding in 2021 as planned
Expect continued annual dividend growth
Utilize excess cash for strategic opportunities and share repurchases
Deploy aggressive debt reduction approach in order to return to investment grade metrics
Approvals and Timing
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2021, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals
Advisors
Credit Suisse acted as financial advisor and Jones Day served as legal counsel to Huntington Ingalls Industries
Renaissance Strategic Advisors and Arena Strategic Advisors acted as advisors to Huntington Ingalls Industries
Macquarie Capital acted as financial advisor and Milbank served as legal counsel to Alion Science and Technology
Conference Call & Webcast Information
Huntington Ingalls Industries will hold a conference call to discuss the transaction beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on July 6, 2021. Participants should call 844-825-9785 at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. A live audio broadcast of the conference call and supplemental presentation will be available on the investor relations page of the company’s website: ir.huntingtoningalls.com. A telephone replay of the conference call will be available from noon today through July 13, 2021 by calling toll-free 877-344-7529 and using conference ID 10158316.
About Huntington Ingalls Industries
Huntington Ingalls Industries is America’s largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of professional services to partners in government and industry. For more than a century, HII’s Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. HII’s Technical Solutions division supports national security missions around the globe with unmanned systems, defense and federal solutions, and nuclear and environmental services. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs more than 41,000 people operating both domestically and internationally.
