Macdonald Dettwiler signs deal with Israel Aerospace for “affordable” satellite

The AMOS-6 satellite is expected to cost in excess of (US) $200-million, and is scheduled for launch early in 2015. It is expected to have an orbital life of 16 years. (Pictured: The AMOS-5 satellite). Macdonald Dettwiler (TSX:MDA) today announced it has signed a contract to supply the communications payload solution for the AMOS-6 satellite for Israel Aerospace Industries.

The Richmond, BC company has actually already started work on the contract under an Authorization To Proceed agreement that was reached this past June.

The AMOS-6 satellite is expected to cost in excess of (US) $200-million, and is scheduled for launch early in 2015. It is expected to have an orbital life of 16 years. AMOS is an acronym for “Affordable Modular Optimized Satellite.”

Earlier this year, Israel Aerospace Industries CEO Joseph Weiss said the satellite will “…represent a significant leap forward in the capabilities of IAI and the state of Israel in space. ”

Today’s news follows a string of recent wins for MDA, including the approval of its Space Systems/Loral acquisition by the US Department of Justice late in October, and the signing of a a multi-million dollar contract that will allow two of the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) mobile ground systems to receive and process imagery from satellites. That deal was also announced today.

Shares of Macdonald Dettwiler closed Monday up 1.5% to $53.15.

________________