Western Digital Corp. said it plans to...

Western Digital Corp. said it plans to raise $45 million through an offering of 6.75% convertible subordinated debentures, due in 2011.

The Irvine-based company said the debentures can be converted into its common stock at an exercise price of $17.50 per share any time before their expiration.

Proceeds of the offering, which is being managed by First Boston Corp. and Montgomery Securities, will be used primarily to retire short-term bank debt, Western

Digital said.

Additionally, Western Digital officials said the company has met Defense Communications Agency requirements for use of one of its controller products in the Defense Department’s Defense Data Network.

“This qualification . . . opens up another wide area” for sales of the product, said Mel Gable, vice president of the company’s communications products unit.

Western Digital designs and supplies communication controllers based on advanced semiconductor technology for use in the office automation and microcomputer industries. The firm, located in Irvine, was founded in 1970 as a specialized semiconductor manufacturer and now supplies a range of information storage management and communications products.