For Immediate Release

Date: February 16, 2001

Editorial Contact:
Cynthia T. White
Tel: 540-552-3011 Ext. 152
whitect@polysci.com

Poly-Scientific today has announced that it has reached a milestone by manufacturing its 1,000th slip ring for use on the LANTIRN system. LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night) is a system used on the Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16C/D Fighting Falcon aircrafts, as well as the Navy's F-14 Tomcat for navigation and attack on tactical targets. The LANTIRN system, developed by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control of Orlando, FL, is also used by 12 other allied countries around the world and is recognized as the world's premier targeting system. A slip ring is a device that allows the transmission of power and electrical signals from a stationary to a rotating structure.

LANTIRN revolutionized night warfare operations in 1987 when the system was introduced. LANTIRN allows aircrafts to fly at night, at low altitudes and in poor weather conditions. The system consists of a two integrated assemblies that are mounted beneath the aircraft: (1) a navigation pod, and (2) a targeting pod. LANTIRN was first used in combat during the Persian Gulf War.

The single slip ring envelope contains two independently rotating sections, which permits independent rotation of the target pod's center and nose sections. This feature allows the center and nose sections of the targeting pod to rotate independent of one another during aircraft flight maneuvers and is a feature that enhances the performance of the LANTIRN targeting pod. The slip ring is also unique in that it acts as a rotary fluid joint allowing coolant to be pumped from the aft section environmental control unit through the slip ring into sensitive electronic assemblies in both the center and nose sections of the pod that requires coolant. Poly-Scientific is the original designer and manufacturer of the slip ring and has produced it since the beginning of the program in the early 1980s.

"We are very proud of our employees who manufacture this complex product here in Blacksburg," says Jay Muscatello, Director of Manufacturing/Operations. "Many of the individuals who are currently working in the LANTIRN Department have been with the LANTIRN program from the beginning and have had a hand in producing each of the 1,000 slip rings delivered to date. "

Poly-Scientific is an innovative motion technology and fiber optic company offering a broad range of motion components, systems and fiber optic products. Poly-Scientific is the largest slip ring manufacturer in the world and the only motion company that offers slip rings and fiber optic rotary joints in addition to motors and control electronics. The company's product lines include: brush and brushless high performance motors, drives, resolvers, slip rings, fiber optic rotary joints, actuators, vertically integrated motion systems and avionics instruments. Poly-Scientific is a worldwide leader in providing both standard product configurations and customer-specific solutions for industrial, commercial, aerospace and defense applications.

Poly-Scientific designs and manufacturers a complete line of motion products, including motors, drives, slip rings, actuators and fiber optic rotary components for commercial, industrial, aerospace and military applications.

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