ThermoTrex Wins Army, Air Force Contracts to Develop Laser Technologies

San Diego-based ThermoTrex Corp. has received a $7.1 million contract from the US Army Missile Command and the US Air Force Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to modify its rapid optical beam-steering technology for laser-radar applications. The company will use the technology for multiple-target tracking and sniper detection. The Air Force's Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office awarded ThermoTrex an additional $4.9 million contract, with options for $400,000 more, to develop its laser communication system for use on unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.