U.K.-based aerospace and defense company Cobham will pay $38 million for S-TEC Corp., the companies said Wednesday. S-TEC, which is based in Texas and owned by Meggitt, certifies and manufactures autopilots for general aviation aircraft. “OEMs increasingly expect their avionics supplier to provide an autopilot solution, with the market moving towards the inclusion of autopilots in EFIS type displays, such as Cobham’s, to reduce weight, wiring and integration costs,” the company said. “S-TEC is an excellent technological and market fit in our development of a Cobham cockpit of avionics, with products from both companies certified together on more than 500 aircraft types,” said Allan Cook, Cobham CEO. The purchase is anticipated to complete before the year end, subject to regulatory approval.