This is an interesting article in today's LA Times. Don't think it will have any impact on PLFM, but shows the advancement of the unmanned vehicles.
02/22 13:44 FULL TEXT-Wescam <WSC.TO> wins U.S. Army contract
(Full text of press release from Canadian Corporate News) FEBRUARY 22, 1999 Wescam Announces $7.5 Million Contract From The United States Army For Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Program FLAMBOROUGH, ONTARIO-- Wescam Inc. announced today that one of its California subsidiaries has been awarded a $7.5 million cost plus contract from the United States Army for its Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) development program. Wescam has been selected to develop a reconnaissance stabilized camera system for the U.S. Army's newest Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The system will include electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) cameras, extensive image processing and a control station. Two prototype systems will be delivered under this 27 month contract. Technological elements will extend from the WESCAM(TM) 12 and WESCAM(TM) 20 products which were developed over the past two years. The contract includes an option to order supplementary technological capabilities to the systems valued at an additional $5.6 million. The potential fleet of aircraft to be built and to be deployed with the WESCAM(TM) system is up to 300 over the next ten years. "We are extremely pleased to receive the TUAV EO/IR System contract from the United States Army, as it clearly positions Wescam as the leading supplier of camera systems to the North American Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) marketplace," said Mark Chamberlain, Wescam's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Wescam's camera systems will now be the preferred payload on three major UAV programs, the other two being the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. "Predator" program for the United States Air Force, and the Pioneer UAV, Inc.'s "Pioneer" program for the United States Navy." Wescam is a world leader in the design and manufacture of camera and microwave communications systems, mounted on a variety of moving platforms where capture and communication of a stable picture is essential. These platforms range from NASCAR motor vehicles, tracks, boats and cranes to aircraft, helicopters, airships and the Space Shuttle. Wescam products provide images and real time information for a broad range of government surveillance and commercial market segments around the globe. Wescam is traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "WSC". FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Wescam Inc. Mark Chamberlain President and Chief Executive Officer (905) 689-2231 or Wescam Inc. Caroline Glasbey Manager, Investor Relations (905) 689-2231 (ext. 310)
------------------------
latimes.com@NEWS-P1 |
