Ion Optics to Develop IR Missile Device

WALTHAM, Mass., Oct. 14 -- Ion Optics Inc. will develop an infrared (IR) wavelength control device for Sanders Design, of Wilton, N.H., for use in a system to defend low-flying aircraft from infrared missiles.

Sanders Design's spatial infrared countermeasure (SICM) self-protection system causes infrared missiles to veer off course and miss targeted aircraft. The company is working with Analogic Corp., of Peabody, Mass., to produce the SICM system, which is partially funded by the US Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Programs Agency (DARPA).

The Commercial Airline Missile Defense Act was proposed to Congress in February as a result of an attempted downing of an Israeli airliner in Africa by IR-guided missiles in November 2002. The legislation would require all commercial aircraft to be outfitted with an automatic IRCM system to counter these missiles.

The Transportation Security Administration plans to outfit all US airliners with self-protection IRCM systems. The Transportation Security Working Group has selected SDI, working with Analogic, as a semi-finalist for participation in full-scale IRCM system development contracts, to be awarded later this year.

Ion Optics' use of photonic crystal technology to control infrared signal output is being tested in a number of defense applications as well as to produce a line of IR gas sensors.

For more information, visit: www.ion-optics.com