Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz and Jones Day have taken lead roles on the $18.4bn (£11.9bn) acquisition of aircraft equipment maker Goodrich by United Techonologies Corporation (UTC), a deal that marks the conglomerate's largest-ever acquisition, reports The Am Law Daily.

UTC is being advised by longstanding outside counsel Wachtell on the deal, which will see it pay $127.50 (£83) per Goodrich share in cash to acquire the target company and assume $1.9bn (£1.2bn) in debt.

The elite US firm's team is being led by co-founder Martin Lipton, along with corporate partners Joshua Cammaker and David Lam.

Wachtell has advised UTC on a number of previous transactions, including its $1.8bn (£1.2bn) acquisition of General Electric's fire alarm and security unit in 2009.

Meanwhile, Jones Day is advising Goodrich with a team led by M&A partners Lyle Ganske and James Dougherty. Antitrust partner Tom Smith and benefits partner Manan Shah are also working on the transaction.

A number of other firms have also won associated roles, including Crowell & Moring, which is serving as UTC's US antitrust co-counsel. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is advising JP Morgan Securities in its role as a financial adviser to UTC, while Dewey & LeBoeuf is representing Citigroup as financial adviser to Goodrich.

Goodrich, which makes aircraft landing gear, wheels, and brakes for the aerospace and defence industries, has expected 2011 sales of around $8bn (£5.2bn), according to UTC.

The Am Law Daily is a US affiliate title of Legal Week.