Alfalight wins $3.7M laser contract for THAAD laser-initiated ordnance system
Entirely US-based developer of high-performance infrared and visible laser systems for defense and security applications, Alfalight (Madison, WI) received a contract to deliver lasers for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Laser Initiated Ordnance System (LIOS) built by Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company (PSEMC) as a subcontractor to THAAD prime contractor Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT). The contract has a value of $3.7 million dollars for deliveries over an 18-month period.
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The PSEMC LIOS provides the THAAD interceptor missile with an innovative solution for controlling critical missile flight events from launch to impact using laser light technology to initiate explosive charges. In addition to reliable control of sequences, the laser technology safeguards against potential accidental initiation and EMS disruption. THAAD is a key element of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) and is the only ballistic missile defense system capable of interception both within and outside the earth’s atmosphere. Since 2005 the THAAD program has completed 11 successful intercepts in 11 attempts. In September of 2013, Lockheed Martin announced that it had received a multi-billion dollar production contract to produce elements of the THAAD weapons system for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the United Arab Emirates (via foreign military sale).
"This contract is a valued vote of confidence from our customer and builds on Alfalight's many years of success in high-performance laser systems for defense and security," said Mohan Warrior, president and CEO of Alfalight. "It highlights our capabilities for designing and manufacturing rugged, integrated laser systems for the most demanding and critical applications. We are proud to have been a successful provider of consistently high-quality lasers to PSEMC for the THAAD program over the past decade."
"The hallmark of the THAAD LIOS system is flawless performance under interceptor missile flight conditions," said Scott Sypek, GM of California Operations at PSEMC. "We are pleased to select Alfalight to supply the critical lasers that ensure the reliability and safety of the LIOS system."
Alfalight's devices serve both man-portable and vehicle-borne applications that include compact visible, SWIR, and infrared laser illuminators, targeting/tracking/locating devices, laser-initiated ordnance, and power-over-fiber. Alfalight's products are designed for the demands of rough use and are qualified to the ruggedness requirements of MIL-STD-810G or related aerospace/telecommunications standards; Alfalight is ITAR registered.
SOURCE: Alfalight; http://www.alfalight.com/NewsItem.aspx?AlfalightNewsId=42