WASHINGTON — CACI International said on Dec. 22 it is acquiring space technology company ARKA Group in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.6 billion, expanding its footprint in space-based sensing and intelligence systems.
CACI, a publicly traded defense and intelligence contractor based in Reston, Virginia, is acquiring ARKA from Blackstone Tactical Opportunities, the private investment arm of Blackstone. Blackstone has invested in ARKA since 2019 and held the company through a series of acquisitions under its portfolio.
CACI said the deal aligns with its strategy to expand in the national security space sector. “ARKA supports national security missions through its space-based sensor portfolio and ground-based software processing, accelerating the delivery of actionable intelligence to the warfighter,” the company said.
ARKA, headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut, develops software for processing and analyzing data from space-based sensors, including radar and remote sensing systems. Its portfolio includes analytics and data fusion tools designed to turn raw sensor data into intelligence products.
The company also builds space-qualified optical systems and payloads, including high-precision telescopes and electro-optical sensors used on satellites for remote sensing and intelligence collection. ARKA produces small satellite payloads and subsystems, particularly for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, and has expanded its facilities to support payload manufacturing and optical coating.
“The acquisition of ARKA represents a significant step forward in our space strategy,” said John Mengucci, CACI’s president and chief executive.
CACI’s space-related work spans across hardware, software and services. One of its space-focused businesses produces optical communications terminals for the U.S. government, which enable high-speed data links between satellites. The company also provides professional and technical services.
In 2024, CACI secured a 10-year contract worth up to $450 million to support the Joint Navigation Warfare Center, a subordinate organization of U.S. Space Command. The center serves as the Department of Defense’s hub for navigation warfare, which focuses on satellite-based positioning, navigation, and timing systems.
“For our shareholders, the acquisition of ARKA positions CACI to capture significant future opportunities in the space domain across the intelligence community, U.S. Space Force, and other Department of War customers,” Mengucci said.
CACI said it expects the transaction to close in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
