Jenoptik Division For Defense & Civil Systems Receives Development Contract from US Marine Corps

At the Jupiter location in Florida, Jenoptik is set to develop an observation and target acquisition system to the specific requirements of the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The contract has a value of 1.3 million US Dollars.

JENA, Germany & JUPITER, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The new observation and target acquisition system with day and night capability, is to be developed to fulfill a critical need of US armed forces - the 'Common Laser Range Finder Integrated Capability' (CLRF IC). The CLRF IC is to integrate several elements of currently fielded equipment, to be combined into a single light-weight system and therewith replace multiple pieces of equipment by a single device. In addition to Jenoptik, three other companies have been selected to compete in the development of a CLRF IC. The contract with Jenoptik initially concerns the development of an observation and target acquisition system that brings a wide range of mission functions into one hand-held system.

“This development contract shows how the Jenoptik Group is gaining a strong international reputation and has established itself as a reliable partner for sophisticated projects”

"This development contract is an important step in the internationalization of our Defense & Civil Systems division. It confirms that our innovative solutions have gained considerable attention in the American military market," explains Jenoptik CEO, Dr. Michael Mertin. With the internationalization of its business activities, the Jenoptik Group is primarily focusing on North America and Asia. Operating in the area of security and defense technology, Jenoptik Defense, Inc. was established in Florida in 2011 to further develop US business in the Defense & Civil Systems division. "This development contract shows how the Jenoptik Group is gaining a strong international reputation and has established itself as a reliable partner for sophisticated projects," explains Dr. Michael Mertin.

The goal of Jenoptik is to design a system for the USMC over a 19 month period of development and testing which will both fulfill and exceed expectations, ensuring Jenoptik will be chosen for volume production of the system as well.

Comprehensive expertise for military reconnaissance systems.

The Jenoptik Group has many years of experience in the area of observation and target acquisition systems with day and night capability.

The baseline for this most recent development contract is the optronic reconnaissance system NYXUS BIRD, which Jenoptik successfully launched in the market last year, already combining many of the required parameters. The NYXUS BIRD is the lightest multifunctional day and night observation device to combine the Jenoptik traditional crystal clear glass optics, a thermal imaging device, a range finder, GPS and a digital compass in an exceptionally compact solution. Weighing less than 1.5 kilograms, it is a genuine light weight among the hand-held devices of its class. In addition to the high quality direct view channel with seven-times magnification, an infrared channel is available to the user for observation during the darkest night. For target acquisition and orientation the system features a digital compass, a laser range finder and GPS. Its operation is simple, intuitive and capable of single handed operation.

Further information on Jenoptik military reconnaissance systems is available on the internet under Optical Sensor Systems.

About the Jenoptik Group

As an integrated optical electronics Group, Jenoptik is active in the five divisions of Laser & Materials Processing, Optical Systems, Industrial Measurement Technology, Transport Safety as well as Defense & Civil Systems. Jenoptik's global customers primarily include companies in the semi-conductor and semi-conductor equipment industry, the auto and auto supply industry, medical technology, security and defense technology and the aviation industry. Jenoptik has over 3,100 global employees and attained a turnover of 543 million Euros in 2011.

Jenoptik Defense, Inc. (JDI) was established in Florida in 2011 as the US representation of the Jenoptik Defense & Civil Systems division. At the location in Jupiter, Florida, the division has considerable levels of expertise in mechanical, electronic and optical system solutions. Its product range includes a wide range of products, components and solutions for reconnaissance systems and military aircraft as well as thermal imaging cameras and infrared camera modules for a range of different applications.