Boeing Buys Developer of Military Helicopter

Boeing Co. acquired closely held Frontier Systems Inc., giving Boeing its first military-reconnaissance helicopter that may compete against Northrop Grumman Corp.’s new model.

The value of the deal wasn’t disclosed. Irvine-based Frontier has been working on the A-160 Hummingbird helicopter under a contract with the U.S. military’s research arm. The Army may fund development and purchases of the aircraft, said Dina Hyde, Boeing’s program manager for the aircraft.