NORTHVALE, N.J., 3 August 2005. Photonic Products Group, Inc. announced today that its INRAD business unit has doubled its production capacity for a proprietary ultra-violet (UV) waveband optical filter elements.
They made the move after receiving additional orders for over 800 units from Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division, based in Rolling Meadows, Ill.
These production contracts are for the Northrop Grumman AN/AAR-54(V) Missile Warning System and the AN/AAQ-24(V) Nemesis DIRCM Self-Protection Suite. The dollar value of the contract was not disclosed.
The ultra-violet filters are specialty optical components made from high purity and high uniformity single-crystals of a proprietary material. This synthetic crystal material was developed by Northrop Grumman and is produced for them under license by INRAD. These filters are an optical component of Northrop Grumman's airborne electro-optical missile warning sensors.
Northrop Grumman's anti-missile aircraft defensive systems are currently employed on a variety of U.S. and U.K. military aircraft operating worldwide, and their numbers are increasing. Originally developed for military aircraft, Northrop Grumman is adapting the DIRCM system under contract to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), participating in that department's program to develop and test anti-missile systems designed to protect commercial aircraft.
Dan Lehrfeld, president and CEO of Photonic Products Group, commented, "We are proud to continue to be Northrop Grumman's supply chain partner for this critical component, keeping pace with their increasing requirements. Systems that protect military and commercial aircraft from the proliferating threat of anti-aircraft missiles are experiencing increases in demand throughout the world."
Photonic Products Group, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets products and services for use in diverse Photonics industry sectors via its expanding portfolio of branded businesses. INRAD specializes in crystal-based optical components and devices, laser accessories and instruments. Laser Optics specializes in precision custom optical components, assemblies, and optical coatings. MRC Optics specializes in precision metal and diamond turned optics, and opto-mechanical and electro-optical assemblies. PPGI's customers include leading corporations in the defense and aerospace, laser systems, and process control and metrology sectors of the photonics industry, as well as the U.S. government. Its products are also used by researchers at national laboratories and universities worldwide. For more information, see www.ppgrpinc.com or www.inrad.com.
