RDT-V .13 +.03, US Defense Dept. test news....
Radiant Announces Successful Test Results for US Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Research Program
PORT COLBORNE, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - Jan. 17, 2007) - Radiant Energy Corporation (TSX VENTURE:RDT) ("Radiant" or the "Company") developer and marketer of InfraTek(R), the patented, infrared pre-flight aircraft deicing system, is pleased to announce that its Aviation Services Military Division recently completed a side by side test of a newly developed electrical infrared deicing emitter against their proven gas fired emitter in an effort to develop a non-glycol based, transportable deicing system for the US military.
The detailed infrared test was accomplished at the National Gas Test Center in Montreal, Canada and the electrical emitter showed infrared performance comparable to the standard gas emitters. The electrical emitter generated at least the same heat as conventional gas heaters.
"This formal test demonstrates all the required technical aspects of the Department of Defense Phase I Proposal," said Col. George Waskosky (Ret.) Director, Radiant Aviation Services Military Division. "This dramatic technical success will aid the Air Force to evaluate a Phase II Proposal. If approved, for Phase II, RAS will demonstrate the electrically powered full size system in a cooperative research agreement with the FAA."
In the spring of 2006, Radiant began work on Phase I of a contract with the Department of Defense of the United States for the development of a Non-Fluid Based Transportable Aircraft Deicing System. The project was funded by the Department of Defense for approximately US $90,000.
The work on Phase I funded the conceptual design and testing the modular heating units required to advance to the next phase. The DoD requested RAS to apply for funding for Phase II to advance the development of the transportable system.
Phase II will involve the construction of a temporary structure adjacent to the CALSPAN Research facility for testing on an aircraft and the construction of eight transportable bins with six heating arrays in each bin. Maximum funding under Phase II is US$750,000 with additional matching funding under the Phase II enhancement program of $500,000. Acceptance or rejection of the Phase II application is expected no later than January 30, 2007.
The military-purpose, transportable system is not intended to be a replacement for Radiant's existing suite of gas-based systems. It is being designed for the specific and unique requirements of military applications. The electrical infrared deicing technology could however be used in commercial situations where natural gas or propane are not available.
The U.S. Department of Defense's Small Business Innovation Research program selected Radiant in response to a need to overcome the operational limitations of deicing with glycol-based fluids at expeditionary Air Force Bases. Radiant will leverage its extensive expertise in non-fluid deicing technology to develop a system that meets the Air Force's deicing needs during winter contingency flight operations at austere locations.
The InfraTek Deicing System is the only FAA-approved for use, non-glycol based alternative to the conventional pre-flight ground deicing process. InfraTek offers substantial savings to airports and airlines by reducing treatment costs and reducing the negative environmental impact of conventional glycol deicing. The InfraTek Deicing System is in use at Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey and Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, with installations recently or about to open at JFK International Airport, New York and the Oslo Airport in Gardermoen, Norway. |
