Condor Gets US Army OK to Build SHORTSTOP, An `Electronic Umbrella' That Saves Soldiers From Deadly Mortar, Artillery and Rocket Attacks.

Business Editors

SIMI VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2000

Space-Age Electronic System Spoofs Proximity-Fuzed Weapons; Built for

the Gulf War and Deployed in Bosnia, New Army System Could Change

Course of Modern Warfare 

Production Follow-on of the US Army's SHORTSTOP Electronic Protection System (SEPS), an "electronic umbrella" designed to protect troops and equipment from mortar, artillery, and rockets fitted with deadly proximity-fuzed warheads, has begun at Condor Systems Electronic Systems here, the company announced today.

Under a $17.9 million US Army contract awarded in late 1999, Condor is building 42 production units of SEPS nicknamed "SHORTSTOP," which experts say could reduce casualties to ground troops by as much as 80 percent or more during the initial stages of an enemy attack. The contract also exercises an option to build 48 additional units. Deliveries will begin in early 2000 to the US Forces Central Command (CENTCOM) for deployment with troops in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

The Army/Condor SHORTSTOP program was initially developed to guard troops during the Gulf War from massive amounts of proximity-fuzed weapons and later deployed to protect allied forces in Bosnia during the Balkans War. SHORTSTOP provides an automatic and silent shield against proximity-fuzed weapons that are widely used by military forces worldwide. Estimates indicate that more than 30 million proximity-fuzed weapons are produced annually.

Proximity-fuzed weapons are particularly lethal, as they are programmed to explode several feet above the target generating a massive concussion blast and raining down razor sharp shrapnel. As the name implies, the proximity-fuze is triggered by a radio altimeter that measures the weapons' distance from the ground. The SHORTSTOP (SEPS) "umbrella" locates the radio frequency (RF) signal generated by the altimeter, fooling it to believe it is near the target. As a result, SHORTSTOP can detect and prematurely detonate the weapon during flight, rendering it harmless.

"SHORTSTOP is a one-of-a-kind life-saving system built to protect American soldiers from these fearsome weapons," said Tim Davis, President of Condor Electronic Systems Division. "We see the potential in the next few years for wide use of the SHORTSTOP system across all our US forces as well as selected allies," he said.

Condor is building three versions of SHORTSTOP for use in a variety of military applications and deployments. A man-pack version weighing just 25 pounds and dubbed AN/PLQ-7 will be used by mobile platoons, light divisions and battalions as well as special operations units. HMMWVs, trucks and armored personnel carriers will be equipped with the AN/VLQ-11, and a field stand-alone unit called the AN/GLQ-16 will stand guard over barracks, airfields, aircraft, communications and intelligence sites, command posts and other high value positions.

A single SHORTSTOP system can protect an area the size of five football fields long and four wide, and is effective against single shot or barrage attacks.

The SHORTSTOP units can be deployed and operational within seconds, and the system senses and activates its electronic countermeasure signal automatically, requiring no operator assistance. Passive electronics and operational features make SHORTSTOP extremely difficult to detect by enemy signal intelligence sensors.

Condor, which has extensive experience in electronic warfare and communications systems, was contracted by the Army in late 1990 to design and build the initial SHORTSTOP systems. Over the past 10 years SHORTSTOP has been tested against more than 6,000 live artillery, rocket and mortar rounds, proving the system essentially fool-proof and with over 90 percent effectiveness against selected weapons.

Condor Electronic Systems Division is a subsidiary of Condor Systems Inc., a global supplier of high quality, high technology defense electronics systems. Condor Systems is headquartered in San Jose, California, and employs more than 400 people in various locations in the US and abroad.

What is SHORTSTOP & Why is it Important?

1. What is SHORTSTOP?

SHORTSTOP (the shortened nickname for SHORTSTOP Electronic Protection Systems or SEPS) is an electronic countermeasures system that detects signals emitted from proximity-fuzed weapons, modifies the signal and sends it back to the weapon, making the fuze think it is close to the ground. The fuze then prematurely detonates the warhead rendering the weapon essentially harmless. It will blow up high and far away from its intended target. That's why it is called an electronic umbrella and takes the name SHORTSTOP, the most challenging fielding position in baseball.

SHORTSTOP works automatically, silently and cannot be electronically jammed by enemy systems. SHORTSTOP is basically an "electronic umbrella" that can protect military forces, civilians, equipment, trucks, armored vehicles, radar, and air defense and fire control equipment from damage or destruction by these weapons. It is effective against single shot and barrage attacks. Soldiers can be proficient in set-up, operation and maintenance of the SHORTSTOP system after just a few hours of training.

SHORTSTOP is produced in three packages: 25-pound man-pack version; 50-pound vehicle-mounted version; and stand-alone ground-mounted configuration.

2. Why does the military need SHORTSTOP?

Because it saves lives. It protects valuable equipment. It changes the way troops can maneuver on the battlefield. SHORTSTOP is a life-saving system that protects people and equipment from proximity-fuzed weapons such as mortar rounds, rockets, and artillery shells. These are very potent weapons that maim and kill. They are widely used by national and rebel armies and terrorist groups/cells around the world. Over 30 million proximity-fuzed weapons are produced annually and sold throughout the world. They are relatively cheap and very effective weapons.

Analysis indicates deployment of SHORTSTOP against these weapons can increase survival by as much as 80% during an initial attack.

3. What is Condor's role in developing SHORTSTOP?

Condor Electronic Systems Division, Simi Valley, California, was selected to design and produce SHORTSTOP during the Gulf War (Desert Shield) in 1990 as a protective shield against the plethora of proximity-fuzed weapons used by the Iraqi military. Condor produced working units in 90 days under a Quick Reaction Capability (QRC). The war ended, so they were never deployed in Desert Storm.

Units were later deployed in Bosnia to protect allied forces there, and SHORTSTOP is now on guard in Kosovo and Kuwait.

Since the initial Army contract in 1990, Condor has built 53 SHORTSTOP systems in three packages. Condor has developed a man-pack version called the AN/PLQ-7, which weighs just 25 pounds; a 50-pound vehicle-mounted unit for HMMWVs and armored personnel carriers dubbed AN/VLQ-11; and a stand-alone unit that is mounted on the ground and called the AN/GLQ-16.

All three units are nearly identical in operation. One SHORTSTOP system can protect an area the size of about five football fields long by four wide.

4. How many SHORTSTOP units is Condor building for the US armed

forces?

Condor initially produced 36 systems. Initial units developed for the Gulf War were built under Quick Reaction Capability (QRC). These prototype units weighed over 100 pounds and were packaged in trunk-sized units.

Success with these units resulted in the Army awarding Condor an Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) contract for nine pre-production units. The units were used for further tests and evaluation and were reduced in size and weight. Condor built three each: man-pack units, vehicle-mount units and stand-alone units. All were delivered to the Army in 1997.

Condor received the Army's first production contract in 1998 for 44 units. Design improvements allow these systems to defeat a larger number of proximity-fuzed weapons. These 44 systems were vehicle-mounted and stand-alone units and deployed to US Army Europe (USAREUR).

5. Who will field the units and when?

Under contracts awarded in late 1999, Condor is building another 86 units that will be delivered to the Army starting in 2000 at the rate of eight per month. They will be delivered to the US Forces Central Command. The contract also calls for four units to be delivered to the US Marine Corps for test and evaluation.

6. If this is such a terrific battlefield lifesaver, why doesn't

the military have one for every platoon, squad and high value

equipment?

SHORTSTOP has been extremely effective in tests against all kinds of simulated attacks using live artillery, rockets, and mortars. Over 6,000 rounds have been fired at targets protected by SHORTSTOP with over 90% success. The system works. Further deployment is being considered by all the US forces and other government agencies. The rate of deployment has been limited by budget constraints.

7. Can US allies buy the SHORTSTOP system?

Yes. The system can be sold to some of our US allies. They include the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and others considered on a case-by-case basis.

8. How much does the SHORTSTOP system cost?

SHORTSTOP will cost about $150,000 per system when in production at rates of several hundred per year. The system has been designed with improved technology that makes it ideal for high volume manufacturing and low cost maintenance.

9. Can SHORTSTOP be used by embassies for protection against these

weapons?

Yes. SHORTSTOP could be used in a wide variety of scenarios including embassy protection. Mobile command posts, aircraft, hangars, air defense centers, oil fields, hospitals, refueling depots, intelligence sites, satellite control facilities and scores of other facilities and equipment could be protected by SHORTSTOP.

10. Can SHORTSTOP defeat other weapons?

Tests have been conducted against various top attack and cruise missile type weapons with success. With enhancements, wider use of SHORTSTOP is possible to protect military personnel, equipment and valuable assets from a number of other hostile weapons.

11. What are the major components in the SHORTSTOP system and who

are the subcontractors?

Condor is the prime contractor for the SHORTSTOP system. Condor is responsible for system design, systems integration, manufacturing and test. Condor components and sub-systems account for about 60% of the total content. Other primary subcontractors are:

Antenna: Ball Aerospace, Denver, Colo.

Amplifier: Comptech, Long Island, N.Y.