HAIFA, Israel and BREMEN, Germany, May 13, 2004--The international defense company Elbit Systems, Ltd., through its subsidiary Elop Electro-Optics Industries, Ltd., has announced plans to set up a joint venture with the space technology company OHB-System AG for common development and marketing of electro-optical systems and infrared payloads, suitable for deployment in space and for Unmanned Airborne Vehicles.
In the new venture, OHB ELectroOPtics, the system and mission experience of OHB is combined with the competence acquired by ELOP in such fields as electro-optics and infrared technology. Marketing is set to focus in the European region, and the new venture OHB ELectroOPtics will be headquartered in Bremen.
"The new enterprise will increase OHB's array of services to the European space technology industry," said Marco Fuchs, CEO of OHB Technology AG. "We are excited about this joint venture with ELOP because the company is one of the world's leading providers with an in-depth knowledge of the fields of electro-optics and infrared technology."
Haim Rousso, Corporate VP Elbit Systems and General Manager of ELOP said, "The new Venture of ELOP with the leading Space System Company in Europe - OHB, will open new markets for ELOP's technologies and products and enables ELOP to expand its space activities to new areas and customers with an excellent partner."
Electro-optical sensors can generate images with resolutions from less than one meter to several kilometers. Electro-optical systems are currently in use on civilian satellites such as BIRD, EROS, ENVISAT and IKONOS as well as on meteorological satellites such as the European METEOSAT and on military reconnaissance platforms.