THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., March 14 -- Rockwell Scientific Co. (RSC) has obtained a license from THALES Optics Ltd., of North Wales, UK, for thin-film optical coating technology to be used in its laser protective eyewear products for defense and commmercial applications. The technologies will initially be used as part of a four-year $5 million contract RSC has with the Department of Defense (DoD) to establish a domestic manufacturing capability to produce thin-film coatings for laser protective eyewear used in defense applications. The program is funded under Title III of the Defense Production Act that was enacted to ensure viable domestic production capabilities for critical technologies. The company will begin producing the protective eyewear products early in 2003. "By establishing this license, RSC and THALES have taken a key step towards the DoD's goal to have a domestic source for critical laser protective eyewear for our ground, naval and air forces," said Ray Linville of the Title III program office at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. "This program helps ensure that our personnel will have a readily available supply of equipment that protects them from laser hazards in training and combat environments."