Leidos

Corporate brand

American technology, defense, engineering, and scientific services company serving government and selected commercial customers.

Last updated October 14, 2026

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Overview

Leidos is a publicly traded American technology and professional-services company that delivers information technology, systems integration, engineering, scientific, cybersecurity, aviation, health, and defense solutions. Its principal customers are the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Intelligence Community, civilian federal agencies, state and local governments, healthcare organizations, transportation operators, and selected commercial clients. The company is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker LDOS. The business traces its origins to Science Applications Incorporated, founded in 1969 in La Jolla, San Diego, by physicist and former government and industrial researcher J. Robert Beyster. The original company was established around technically demanding government work, including nuclear-power research and weapons-effects studies. It later expanded into missile-program support, environmental remediation, medical and biomedical research, aviation security, engineering, and information systems. As Science Applications International Corporation, or SAIC, it developed a broad portfolio of scientific and technical capabilities and was notable for an employee-ownership model that gave personnel an important role in the company’s growth and governance. SAIC became a public company in 2006. In 2012 it announced a major structural separation designed to reduce conflicts of interest and allow different portions of the business to pursue contracts independently. The larger technology, national-security, health, and engineering business adopted the Leidos name, while a separate government-services company retained the SAIC name. Leidos is the legal successor to the original SAIC corporate entity and retained its historical public-company filing and stock-price continuity. The name Leidos was formed by shortening “kaleidoscope,” reflecting the company’s emphasis on combining varied technical disciplines. In August 2016, Leidos completed its combination with Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems & Global Solutions business, a decisive expansion. The transaction more than doubled Leidos’s scale and added capabilities in federal information technology, health services, mission systems, cybersecurity, logistics, and specialized government support. Subsequent acquisitions strengthened specific verticals, including the 2020 acquisition of defense and space contractor Dynetics, the same-year acquisition of L3Harris Technologies’ security detection and automation systems business, and the 2021 acquisition of naval architecture and marine engineering firm Gibbs & Cox. Leidos organizes its work around Civil, Health, Defense and Intelligence, and Advanced Solutions. Civil offerings include aviation and transportation systems, federal civilian IT modernization, energy and environmental engineering, and infrastructure support. Health activities include health information technology, medical research support, payer and provider services, and management of the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research through Leidos Biomedical Research. Defense and Intelligence work covers mission systems, geospatial and intelligence analysis, air and maritime systems, cybersecurity, logistics, and operational support. Advanced Solutions combines data analytics, surveillance and reconnaissance, scientific research, and complex systems integration. The company is a major federal contractor rather than a consumer-facing product brand. Its competitive position depends on large-scale program execution, access to specialized technical talent, security clearances, engineering depth, and long-term institutional relationships. Leidos also operates internationally through subsidiaries and regional businesses, including activities in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It remains active and is among the larger publicly traded U.S. government contractors.

History

Leidos began in 1969 as Science Applications Incorporated, founded by J. Robert Beyster in La Jolla, San Diego. Beyster financed the young enterprise partly through the sale of shares he had received from General Atomics and through investment by early employees. The company initially worked on technically specialized U.S. government programs involving nuclear power and weapons-effects analysis. Its employee-ownership culture became a defining organizational feature and helped it recruit scientists, engineers, and other highly trained personnel. As the business expanded, it adopted the name Science Applications International Corporation, commonly abbreviated SAIC. Its projects broadened well beyond nuclear science. The company provided technical support for cruise-missile development, participated in the cleanup of Three Mile Island and Love Canal, supported radiation-therapy research at Los Alamos, helped design the Stars & Stripes 87 America’s Cup yacht, and developed aviation-security inspection technology after the Lockerbie bombing prompted tighter baggage-screening requirements. These projects established the diversified science-and-engineering base from which its later government-services business developed. Beyster retired as chairman in 2003. SAIC completed an initial public offering in October 2006, although employee shares retained enhanced voting rights. The company moved its corporate headquarters to Tysons Corner, Virginia, in 2009. During this period it grew into a large federal contractor with work spanning defense, intelligence, civil agencies, healthcare, engineering, and information technology. The company also encountered major program and governance controversies. The FBI abandoned the Virtual Case File system developed by SAIC after the software failed to meet operational requirements. The project became an example of the difficulties associated with changing requirements, complex government oversight, and large information-system programs. Separately, the CityTime payroll-system project in New York generated allegations of overbilling and fraud, resulting in a settlement by SAIC and criminal convictions of individuals associated with the program. In 2012, SAIC announced that it would separate its operations into two publicly traded companies. The smaller government-services business retained the SAIC name, while the larger business became Leidos. The legal restructuring involved changing the original SAIC’s name to Leidos and spinning off a new SAIC, which is why Leidos remains the successor to the historical public company. The separation was intended to reduce conflicts of interest and give each business greater freedom to compete for government work. Leidos relocated its headquarters to Reston, Virginia. Leidos expanded dramatically in 2016 by combining with Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems & Global Solutions business. The transaction added substantial federal IT, health, logistics, cybersecurity, and mission-support capabilities and made Leidos one of the largest providers of technology services to the U.S. government. The company subsequently used acquisitions to deepen specialist capabilities. Dynetics joined Leidos in 2020, bringing advanced defense and space systems. That year Leidos also acquired L3Harris’s security-detection and automation business, including airport-screening technology. In 2021 it acquired Gibbs & Cox, adding naval architecture and maritime engineering expertise. Today, Leidos operates as a diversified mission-solutions company. Its Civil business serves aviation, transportation, energy, environmental, infrastructure, and civilian-agency customers. Health supports medical enterprises, health-data systems, government health payers, and biomedical research. Defense and Intelligence addresses mission systems, cybersecurity, geospatial intelligence, air and maritime programs, logistics, and operational support. Advanced Solutions focuses on scientific research, data analytics, surveillance, reconnaissance, and complex integration. The company’s continued identity is that of a large technical contractor whose value proposition is the integration of specialized people, software, engineering, research, and operational capabilities for demanding government missions.

2023
Thomas Bell becomes chief executive officer
[1]Leidosen.wikipedia.org
Thomas Bell succeeds Roger Krone as chief executive officer in May.
2021
Gibbs & Cox joins Leidos
[1]Leidosen.wikipedia.org
The acquisition expands Leidos’s naval architecture, ship design, and maritime engineering capabilities.
2020
Dynetics and L3Harris security-detection businesses are acquired
[1]Leidosen.wikipedia.org
Leidos adds advanced defense and space capabilities through Dynetics and airport-security screening capabilities through the L3Harris transaction.
2016
Combination with Lockheed Martin IS&GS closes
[1]Leidosen.wikipedia.org
Leidos completes its combination with Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems & Global Solutions business, greatly expanding its federal technology portfolio.
2013
Leidos brand is introduced
[1]Leidosen.wikipedia.org
The larger successor company adopts the Leidos name, while the separated government-services business operates as a new SAIC.
2012
Company announces a two-company separation
[1]Leidosen.wikipedia.org
SAIC announces a restructuring that separates its government-services activities from its larger technology and national-security businesses.
2009
Corporate headquarters moves to Northern Virginia
[1]Leidosen.wikipedia.org
SAIC moves its corporate headquarters to Tysons Corner, Virginia, positioning the company closer to major federal customers and contractors.
2006
SAIC completes its initial public offering
[1]Leidosen.wikipedia.org
SAIC becomes publicly traded, while employee shares retain enhanced voting rights under the company’s earlier ownership structure.
2003
Beyster retires
[1]Leidosen.wikipedia.org
Founder J. Robert Beyster retires after building the employee-oriented science and engineering contractor into a diversified government-services company.
1969
Science Applications Incorporated is founded
[1]Leidosen.wikipedia.org
J. Robert Beyster establishes the company in La Jolla, San Diego, initially focusing on specialized scientific and technical work for the U.S. government.

Products and positioning

A mission-critical technology and engineering partner for defense, intelligence, homeland security, civilian government, healthcare, transportation, and scientific customers.

Defense and intelligence services
Defense and Intelligence Solutions
Leidos provides mission systems, intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, geospatial services, surveillance and reconnaissance support, air and missile systems, logistics, and operational technology for defense and intelligence customers. These offerings are generally delivered as long-term program services and integrated technical systems rather than as mass-market products.
Civil government technology and engineering
Civil Solutions
The Civil portfolio supports civilian agencies and infrastructure operators with aviation and transportation systems, airport security, federal IT modernization, energy and environmental engineering, infrastructure services, and program management. The business combines software, systems integration, engineering, and operational support.
Healthcare information technology and services
Health Solutions
Leidos Health supports government and commercial healthcare organizations through health information technology, medical-enterprise optimization, data collection and management, payer services, and specialized clinical and administrative operations. Related businesses include QTC Health Services, MEDPROTECT, and biomedical research support.
Scientific, analytical, and mission systems
Advanced Solutions
Advanced Solutions brings together scientific research, data analytics, advanced defense and intelligence integration, surveillance, reconnaissance, and other technically complex capabilities. It is oriented toward missions requiring specialized engineering, modeling, software, and research rather than standardized commercial products.
Aviation security technology
Airport Security Detection Systems
Through the acquired Security Detection and Automation Systems business and related capabilities, Leidos supplies detection and screening technologies used in aviation and other security environments. The portfolio includes systems designed to identify explosives and prohibited materials in baggage and passenger-screening workflows.
Defense and space systems · 2020
Dynetics
Dynetics is a wholly owned Leidos subsidiary focused on advanced defense, space, missile-defense, hypersonic, and other national-security systems. Its capabilities complement Leidos’s broader systems-integration and government-program portfolio.
Biomedical research services
Leidos Biomedical Research
Leidos Biomedical Research manages the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research for the U.S. government. Its work supports biomedical research, cancer research, laboratory operations, and related scientific programs.

Controversies

2023
Antitrust and foreign-bribery investigations
Leidos disclosed separate investigations involving potential antitrust violations related to government contracts and possible Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations connected with international operations. The company stated that it was cooperating with authorities and conducting internal reviews.
Source
2018
Defense Department report on workplace retaliation allegations
A redacted Department of Defense Inspector General report found that a Leidos supervisor made inappropriate sexual and racial comments toward a female contractor and that the contractor was excluded from additional work after complaining. The report recommended that the department consider appropriate action, including possible compensation.
Source
2012
CityTime overbilling and fraud controversy
SAIC agreed to a major settlement with New York City over allegations of overbilling on the CityTime payroll-system project. A former program manager and accomplices were later sentenced for fraud and bribery connected with the contract.
Source
2006
FBI Virtual Case File failure
SAIC developed the FBI’s Virtual Case File system under a contract intended to improve information sharing among agents. The FBI ultimately abandoned the system after identifying extensive functional and design problems. SAIC disputed responsibility, pointing to repeated changes in government requirements and program management.
Source

2023
Appoint Thomas Bell as chief executive officerOther
Background
Leidos initiated a leadership transition after Roger Krone’s tenure as chief executive officer.
Action taken
The company appointed Thomas Bell chief executive officer effective May 3, 2023.
Aftermath
Bell became responsible for leading the company’s defense, civil, health, and advanced-solutions portfolio.
Source
2021
Acquire Gibbs & CoxM&A
Background
Leidos pursued additional maritime engineering and naval-design capabilities.
Action taken
Leidos acquired Gibbs & Cox, a naval architecture and marine engineering firm.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded Leidos’s maritime design, engineering, and naval-program capabilities.
Source
2020
Acquire DyneticsM&A
Background
Leidos wanted to deepen its advanced defense, space, missile-defense, and national-security technology capabilities.
Action taken
Leidos acquired Dynetics and made it a wholly owned subsidiary.
Aftermath
Dynetics broadened Leidos’s advanced systems and space-related portfolio.
Reported acquisition value. Approximately $1.65 billion (January 2020)
Source
2020
Acquire L3Harris security-detection operationsM&A
Background
Aviation and transportation security was a strategic area in which Leidos already had government and systems-integration relationships.
Action taken
Leidos acquired the Security Detection and Automation Systems division of L3Harris Technologies.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened Leidos’s position in airport screening and explosives-detection technologies.
Source
2016
Combine with Lockheed Martin IS&GSM&A
Background
Leidos sought greater scale and a broader portfolio in federal information technology, defense, health, logistics, and mission support.
Action taken
Leidos completed the combination with Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems & Global Solutions business.
Aftermath
The transaction more than doubled Leidos’s scale and positioned it among the largest federal technology and defense-services providers.
Source
2012
Separate SAIC into two public companiesStrategy
Background
SAIC’s broad portfolio created potential conflicts of interest when competing for certain government contracts and made it difficult to pursue distinct growth strategies within one corporation.
Action taken
The company separated its government-services business from its larger technology, health, engineering, and national-security business. The latter adopted the Leidos name, while the former became a new SAIC.
Aftermath
The restructuring established Leidos as the legal successor to the original SAIC public company and allowed both businesses to compete more independently.
Source

Recent events

2022-01-06
Leidos and HawkEye 360 establish strategic partnership[3]Leidos 与 HawkEye 360 建立战略合作关系satellitetoday.com
Reported: 2022-01-06
Leidos and HawkEye 360 entered an agreement for collaboration on analysis and go-to-market strategies for analytic services using HawkEye 360 data.
2022-01-04
Leidos announces 23XI Racing sponsorship[4]Leidos 宣布赞助 23XI Racingtireball.com
Reported: 2022-01-04
Leidos announced it would become a primary partner of 23XI Racing beginning with the 2022 season and an official sponsor of NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 Toyota Camry TRD. Leidos was scheduled to appear on the car for its first race at Circuit of the Americas on March 27, 2022.
2021-05-07
Leidos completes acquisition of Gibbs & Cox[5]Leidos完成对Gibbs & Cox的收购prnewswire.com
Reported: 2021-05-07
Leidos announced that it completed its approximately $380 million cash acquisition of Gibbs & Cox. Gibbs & Cox will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary and be combined with Leidos' maritime systems division.
2021-01-14
Leidos Completes Acquisition of 1901 Group[6]Leidos完成对1901 Group的收购prnewswire.com
Reported: 2021-01-14
Leidos announced that it had completed its acquisition of 1901 Group for approximately $215 million in cash. 1901 Group will operate as a wholly owned Leidos subsidiary.
2020-09-10
Leidos appoints Darrell K. Williams as Vice President, Defense Group Logistics[7]Leidos任命Darrell K. Williams为国防集团物流副总裁prnewswire.com
Reported: 2020-09-10
Leidos announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Darrell K. Williams (U.S. Army, Ret.) as Vice President, Defense Group Logistics, effective immediately.
2020-08-17
Leidos appoints Al Potter to lead its UK National Security and Defence business[8]Leidos 任命 Al Potter 负责英国国家安全与国防业务prnewswire.co.uk
Reported: 2020-08-17
Leidos appointed Al Potter as Managing Director of the National Security and Defence Business for Leidos UK. In the role, he will be responsible for engaging the defence, intelligence and national security markets.
2020-05-28
Leidos wins 2020 Gold Halo Award[9]Leidos获得2020年金级Halo奖prnewswire.com
Reported: 2020-06-02
Leidos was named a 2020 Gold Halo Award winner for its public education campaign focused on preventing and reducing opioid misuse among children and young adults.
2020-05-07
Leidos prices $1.75 billion notes offering[10]Leidos为17.5亿美元票据发行定价prnewswire.com
Reported: 2020-05-07
Leidos announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Leidos, Inc., priced $1.75 billion in senior unsecured notes across three maturities. The offering was expected to close on May 12, subject to customary closing conditions.
2020-05-04
Leidos completes acquisition of L3Harris security businesses[11]Leidos完成收购L3Harris安检业务prnewswire.com
Reported: 2020-05-04
Leidos completed its acquisition of L3Harris Technologies' Security Detection and Automation businesses for approximately $1 billion in cash.
2020-01-31
Leidos completes acquisition of Dynetics[12]Leidos完成对Dynetics的收购prnewswire.com
Reported: 2020-01-31
Leidos announced that it completed its acquisition of Dynetics for approximately $1.65 billion in cash. Dynetics will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Leidos.

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