American Technology Corp. Awarded $485,000 Contract to Deliver Long Range Acoustic Devices -LRAD- to
U.S. Army Units; LRADs Deployed in Iraq for Force Protection
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2004--American Technology
Corp. ATC --NASDAQ:ATCO) announced today it has been awarded a
$485,000 contract by the U.S. Army to deliver LRADs (TM) and vehicle
mounts to the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Stryker Brigade Combat Team
already deployed in Iraq. The LRADs and vehicle mounts are scheduled
for delivery this quarter.
The first new military vehicle to enter U.S. Army service since
the Abrams tank in the 1980s, the Stryker is a ruggedized, lightweight
wheeled fighting vehicle that fits in the Army's vehicle lineup
roughly between the Humvee and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The
Stryker combines the capacity for rapid deployment with survivability
and tactical mobility, providing armored protection for the crew and
infantry soldiers.
LRAD is a breakthrough long-range hailing and warning, directed
acoustic device designed to communicate with authority and
exceptionally high intelligibility. From either a static location or
vehicle mount, LRAD can issue a verbal challenge with instructions in
excess of 300 yards in a focused beam, and follow up with a warning
tone to influence behavior or determine intent. Recorded messages can
be selected and transmitted over LRAD in multiple languages. Used in
land-based roles for military operations other than war, LRAD will
support missions including crowd control, area denial of personnel
including checkpoint operations and clearing buildings.
ATC further announced that the Rapid Equipping Force (REF) of the
U.S. Army previously purchased and deployed LRADs in Iraq to develop a
concept of operations for vehicle mounted use. The REF is a major
conduit for new technology insertion into the war fighting forces.
Carl Gruenler, ATC vice president for military and government
operations remarked, "With the increased insurgency in Iraq, LRAD
provides a new tool to focus highly intelligible and authoritative
communication to reduce tension, effect peaceful outcomes and define
potentially hostile situations at safer distances. Mounting LRADs on
armored military vehicles is a significant expansion over previous
applications. We strongly believe LRAD-use can increase situational
awareness and save lives on both sides of the device." |
