DRS Technologies, PARISPPANY: DRS Technologies, Inc. announced today that it has signed a long-term strategic agreement with Ionatron, Inc., located in Tuscon, Arizona.
Under the agreement, the companies will engage in the cooperative development and selected application of Ionatron's Laser-Guided Energy (LGE) and Laser-Induced, Plasma-Channel (LIPC) directed-energy weapon systems and DRS's energy management systems and mobility platforms of its DRS Test & Energy Management unit in Huntsville, Alabama. In addition, the company's DRS Training & Control Systems unit in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, will investigate its own application of Ionatron's LIPC technology in marine applications.
Under this agreement, DRS and Ionatron will work collaboratively to capture business opportunities in directed-energy weapons and tactical-grade power management systems and mobility platforms with initial fielding of these advanced technologies focused on the U.S. military market. DRS's investigation of marine applications is expected to look at the use of this technology in various marine-based operations for homeland security and defense applications relating to shipping ports and dockside protection.
“By combining Ionatron's revolutionary LIPC technology with DRS's mobile power and energy management systems, mobility platforms, sensors and other supporting technologies, this agreement accelerates the development and early fielding of this new breed of directed-energy weapon to the U.S. soldier and military arsenal,” said Fred L. Marion, president of DRS's Surveillance & Reconnaissance Group.
“We are pleased to be able to team with DRS for rapid development and fielding of our LGE products,” said Tom Dearmin, chief executive officer of Ionatron. “This relationship allows Ionatron to focus on our core LIPC technology and allows DRS to focus on one of its many strengths in integrating our LIPC systems into existing and new mission-specific platforms to deliver these systems to the end user as rapidly as possible. The establishment of this long-term relationship is highly consistent with Ionatron's strategic plan.”
Ionatron develops and markets laser-guided energy products, including directed-energy weapon technologies, primarily for government entities. It is the future intent of Ionatron to launch facets of its LGE technologies into other viable industrial and commercial settings. Ionatron is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona.
The DRS Test & Energy Management unit currently is marketing and producing hybrid electric vehicles, power management systems and other electronic technology for directed-energy laser weapon systems. This DRS operating unit has developed proprietary mobile pulse-power technologies that are suitable for incorporation into Ionatron's proprietary directed-energy weapon technology.
DRS Technologies, headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, is a leading supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and prime contractors worldwide. The company employs approximately 10,000 people.
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