Thousand Oaks, CA, March 12, 2002 - Rockwell Scientific Company LLC (RSC), has obtained a license from THALES Optics Limited, located in North Wales, Great Britain, for thin film optical coating technology to be used in RSC's laser protective eyewear products for defense and commercial applications. THALES technology will complement other optical technologies and coating processes developed by RSC to ensure a comprehensive approach to eyewear production.
The technologies will initially be used as part of a four-year $5 million contract RSC has with the Department of Defense to establish a domestic manufacturing capability to produce thin film coatings for laser protective eyewear used in defense applications. The program is funded under Title III of the Defense Production Act that was enacted to ensure viable domestic production capabilities for critical technologies. RSC will begin producing the protective eyewear products early in 2003.
"By establishing this license, RSC and THALES have taken a key step towards the DoD's goal to have a domestic source for critical laser protective eyewear for our ground, naval, and air forces," said Ray Linville of the Title III program office at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. "This program helps ensure that our personnel will have a readily available supply of equipment that protects them from laser hazards in training and combat environments."
"Rockwell Scientific's business strategy includes the incorporation of leading edge technologies into high-value products. We're very pleased to have established this license and look forward to a continued strong working relationship with THALES," said Derek Cheung, President and CEO of Rockwell Scientific. RSC will manufacture the laser eye protection products in its new Camarillo, CA R&D and production facility. Spectacles, goggles and visors are among the products to be delivered. RSC also plans to develop domestic commercial applications for these products in the longer term.
Rockwell Scientific is an independent, privately owned high technology enterprise with unique technical strengths in electronics, imaging, optics, materials, and information science. Its broad range of initiatives includes contract research and development as well as commercialization of technologies through development and sale of high value products, licensing, and spin offs.
Laser Focus World