MYSTIC, Conn., 9 February 2005. Flight Safety Technologies, Inc. announced that it is working with Sanders Design International, a New Hampshire company, and others, on a countermeasure technology designed to defend airliners against certain shoulder-fired missile threats.
Toward this end, the company recently provided independent research and development (IRAD) funding to Sanders to initiate the investigation of a unique, low cost, airline compatible countermeasure concept called TIICM (Tactical Integrated Illuminated Counter Measure).
As prime contractor under its teaming agreement with Sanders to develop missile countermeasures, the company also is seeking federal funding for research and development of this technology. Although there are ongoing discussions among the company, the federal government and airlines, there can be no assurances that any contracts will result from these efforts or that the TIICM technology will prove effective.
In addition, much larger competitors have more mature solutions that are currently being funded by the government and there can be no assurance that, even if it obtains funding for a research and development contract and TIICM proves effective, the company will realize any commercial revenue from this project.
Flight Safety Technologies, Inc. is developing advanced technologies aimed primarily at improving the safety and efficiency of aircraft travel. The company has been working under a federally funded contract with the Volpe National Transportation Center of the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop, test, and utilize its patented technology called SOCRATES to monitor and detect dangerous "wake vortex turbulence."
The company believes that, if and when it successfully completes development and testing, SOCRATES in consort with NASA-developed vortex-track prediction technology can: improve the safety of air traffic by determining more precisely when it is safe to land or take off, increase efficiency at airports by optimizing aircraft landing and takeoff separation standards, reduce passenger delays and generate substantial cost savings for airports and the airline industry.
The company is also developing a proprietary low-cost collision warning system called UNICORN, for small and private aircraft and is exploring the application of UNICORN to unmanned aircraft of the type used by the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. For further information, see www.flysafetech.com.
