Last year delivered major deals in the hottest market areas: cyber, cloud, big data and intel as the largest defense contractors returned to mergers and acquisitions in a big way.

The fourth quarter was the strongest in the past 8 years, bolstered by the signing of the Cromniubs, and there’s plenty of momentum heading into 2015.

Ending the year with a deal valued at $184 million, VSE Corp will acquire Killick Aerospace Group’s Prime Turbines, CT Aerospace, Kansas Aviation and Air Parts and Supply Co. NCI will acquire Computech for an estimated $55.8. million.