PHPG 1.25/1.50...the fact that EL AL is now installing an anti missile system on one of their airplanes brings home the reality that this system could go commerical at some point:
PPGI Awarded Key Component Production Contract for AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Sensors
Thursday April 8, 12:05 pm ET
NORTHVALE, N.J., April 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Photonic Products Group, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: PHPG - News) announced today that its INRAD business unit has been awarded a follow-on production contract from ATK Missile Systems' Clearwater, FL facility for over 1900 ultra violet (UV) waveband optical filter elements for their upgraded AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems. ATK Missile Systems, a division of Alliant Techsystems, is the developer and prime contractor for production of this enhanced performance system for protection of low and slow-flying aircraft from a variety of missile sources. The dollar value of the contract was not disclosed.
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The enhanced performance AN/AAR-47 system detects missile launches, as well as laser-guided and laser-aided threats. It employs four sensors per aircraft, each containing several optical components. While primarily deployed on military aircraft, the AN/AAR-47 system is as well capable of providing protection for commercial aircraft. In low-rate production since 2002, this next production release will provide systems for U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. allies' aircraft.
The subject ultra-violet filters are specialty optical components made from high purity and high uniformity single-crystals of a proprietary material which absorbs all wavelengths except those in the UV region of the electro-magnetic spectrum. This synthetic crystal material was developed by INRAD expressly for such applications, has the highest temperature stability and mechanical stability of any alternative material, and is patented for this end-use. These filters are a key optical component of airborne electro- optical missile warning systems. INRAD has been the sole provider of these elements for the present generation of system for slow-flying aircraft, and had previously produced many thousands for the prior generation of systems. INRAD as well provides proprietary UV filters for systems that protect high- speed aircraft.
Dan Lehrfeld, President and CEO of Photonic Products Group commented, "We are pleased to have been a critical component supplier on ATK's team since the inception of their system upgrade concept. Our component technology has contributed, at least in part, to making their new AN/AAR-47 system more robust. Missile warning systems remain a high funding priority in the Congress, in the DOD, and increasingly in the Department of Homeland Security. We are proud to be a critical component supplier of choice for this expanding class of defense electro-optical systems."
Photonic Products Group, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets products and services for use in diverse Photonics industry sectors via its expanding portfolio of distinct business units. Its INRAD business unit specializes in crystal-based optical components, devices and instruments. Its Laser Optics business unit specializes in precision custom optical components, assemblies, and optical coatings. Its customers include leading corporations in the Defense and Aerospace, Laser Systems, and Process Control and Metrology Equipment sectors of the Photonics Industry, as well as the U.S. Government. Its products are also used extensively by researchers at National Laboratories and Universities world-wide. |
