Hamamatsu Acquires BAE Systems Imaging Solutions

Through its subsidiary Photonics Management Corp., Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. has acquired BAE Systems Imaging, a San Jose, Calif.-based semiconductor manufacturer specializing in high-performance CMOS image sensors in the visible to near-infrared and X-ray regions. BAE Systems Imaging is currently subsidiary to parent company BAE Systems. Following the transaction, Hamamatsu said, BAE Systems Imaging will be known as Fairchild Imaging and will become Hamamatsu’s North American design center for 2D, low-noise image sensors.

BAE Systems Imaging’s (Fairchild's) core products include scientific CMOS (sCMOS) image sensors, as well as X-ray CMOS image sensors for dental and medical diagnostic applications. Hamamatsu said that it expects the acquisition to strengthen and expand its position in the dental market; Hamamatsu Photonics’ dental business serves the European and Asian regions, while Fairchild Imaging will allow the company access to the North American market. More broadly, According to Hamamatsu, Fairchild’s 2D CMOS image sensors complement its existing 1D CMOS image sensor offerings, which are used for analytical instruments and factory automation applications such as displacement meters and encoders.

Per the deal, BAE Systems will retain the aerospace and defense segment of the BAE Systems Imaging Solution’s portfolio, which was transferred to the BAE Systems, Inc. Electronic Systems sector, prior to the closing of the stock purchase transaction with the Hamamatsu subsidiary.

Hamamatsu finalized its acquisition of NKT Photonics in May, in a deal also completed with Photonics Management Corp.