US satellite comms firm ViaSat last week bought UK secure hard drive maker Stonewood for $20m in cash and stock.

Stonewood, based in Wareham, Dorset, makes encrypted hard drives with management capabilities which it sells to governments and the military. Its main products include the FlagStone and external Eclypt Freedom encrypted hard drives.

ViaSat hopes the acquisition will help it to sell hard drive products in addition to its existing line of military-grade secure satellite systems. Stonewood's products are certified for sale to the US military but are yet to gain traction in the US. ®

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