Cubic buys special ops training provider

Cubic has acquired the Special Operations Forces training business of NEK Advanced Securities Group for $52 million cash, Cubic said Dec. 17.

The acquisition is designed to significantly expand the company's knowledge base in advanced tactical training, surveillance and counter surveillance, mission planning and personnel recovery, the company said.

The entity being acquired, NEK Special Programs Group, is based in Fayetteville, N.C., and Colorado Springs, Colo. Following the acquisition, its 200 operational and technical experts will become employees of Cubic.

The group is one of several private contractors that offer mission critical training and direct support activities for the U.S. Special Operations Command, Joint Special Operations Command and Theater Special Operations Command units, Cubic said.

Jim Balentine, president of Cubic Mission Support Services, will lead the group which will become part of Cubic's NEK Services unit, the company said.

Two key members of NEK’s senior leadership team, Bo Todd and Jeff Keers have been named as executives of the new Cubic subsidiary, the company said. NEK Advanced Securities Group founders and CEOs Bruce Parkman and Tony Porterfield will become consultants to Cubic.