Rockwell Scientific Receives Laser Eye Protection Contract From U.S. Air Force; Program Enables RSC to Apply Its Advanced Optical Technologies and Production Capabilities.

Business Editors & Defense Writers

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2002

Rockwell Scientific Company LLC (RSC) has been awarded a $2.8 million 12 month contract from the U.S. Air Force to develop technologies and manufacturing processes to produce laser protective eyewear for aircrews.

The eyewear resulting from the Aircrew Laser Eye Protection (ALEP) / Systems Development and Demonstration (SDD) program will provide aircrews with protection against a variety of laser devices to preclude the temporary or permanent loss of physical and/or functional vision. When using the eyewear, aircrews will be able to view their flight instruments and outside scenes without visual distortion in both day and night conditions.

"We believe we have developed the most effective combination of technologies to address the ALEP program requirements, and we have the capabilities to produce this eyewear in high volumes," said Bill Gunning, Executive Director of RSC's Optics Division.

RSC's laser eye protection technology combines optical thin film coatings and absorbing dyes to provide protection from lasers at a variety of wavelengths in the infrared and visible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The company will manufacture the eyewear in its new Camarillo, R&D and production facility.

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, development, and production as well as commercialization of technologies through licensing, development and sale of high value products, and spin offs. Additional information can be obtained at www.rockwellscientific.com.