BOULDER, Colo., May 21 CO-BLL-Phalanx-ALMTV
BOULDER, Colo., May 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ball Aerospace &
Technologies Corp. has begun assembly on three qualification test units for
the Phalanx All-Light Marine TV (ALMTV) camera program.
Ball Aerospace will build three ALMTV camera systems in 10 months under
contract to Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), and qualify the design in
anticipation of a full-rate camera production phase beginning in 2009.
The all-light-level camera includes a 18:1 visible/near IR zoom lens
coupled to a low light Electron Multiplication Charge Coupled Device (EMCCD)
sensor and interface control module housed in a ship compatible environmental
housing. The ALMTV incorporates more than 35 years of successful
implementation from previous naval camera programs including NATO SeaSparrow
and MK-20 Gunfire Support Systems. Ball was awarded a $2.2M contract from
Raytheon earlier this year to build the camera systems, complete full
qualification tests, and develop tooling to support the 2009 production phase.
There are currently 575 Phalanx systems fielded worldwide that could
incorporate the ALMTV camera upgrade.
"The Phalanx ALMTV program is a perfect fit with Ball's capabilities to
develop, produce and support the imaging needs of the Warfighter for the long
term," said Jim Oschmann, director of Ball's antenna and video technologies
group.
Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and gun system that
provides ships with a "last line" defense against anti-ship missiles and other
close-in-air and surface threats, including helicopters, surface mines, and
terrorist aircraft that have penetrated other fleet defenses. Phalanx is
currently installed on all classes of U.S. Navy surface combatant ships and on
those of 23 allied nations.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of
important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and
other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and
manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data
exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific
applications. For more than 50 years, Ball Aerospace has been responsible for
numerous technological and scientific 'firsts' and acts as a technology
innovator for the aerospace market.
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) is a supplier of high-quality metal and
plastic packaging products for beverage, food and household products
customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for
the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than
15,500 people worldwide and reported 2007 sales of $7.4 billion.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future
events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates,"
"estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could
cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The
company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our
Form 10-K, which are available at our Web site and at http://www.sec.gov.
Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in
product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials,
including recent significant increases in resin, steel, aluminum and energy
costs, and the ability to pass such increases on to customers; competitive
packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and
weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated
productivity improvements or production cost reductions, including our
beverage can end project; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging
laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major
customer or supplier; and changes in foreign exchange rates, tax rates and
activities of foreign subsidiaries. Factors that might affect our aerospace
segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of
government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical
uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the
company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in
senior management; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions, joint ventures or
divestitures; integration of recently acquired businesses; regulatory action
or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including
in respect of chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the
manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments
and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation;
strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of
the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; reduced cash
flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due
to statutory audits or other effects.
SOURCE Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
