Emerging Business

Leveraging core competencies to capture unrealized value in non-traditional and commercial markets.

Emerging Business is applying military technologies to commercial applications and teaming with commercial companies to pursue opportunities in information technology, power sources, ordnance reclamation, and commercial product concepts.

Our Advanced Technology Applications (ATA) business is focusing on ways to apply core competencies in data acquisition, communications, sensors, and signal processing and analysis to meet the information needs of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. ATA's SECURES system uses acoustic sensor technology to detect and locate the sound of gunfire to ensure rapid response by police. In fiscal year 1996, ATA was awarded a $1.7 million U.S. government contract to field test a prototype SECURES system.

Law Enforcement & Secures Contact:
Emerging_Technologies@atk.com

Our Power Sources Center (PSC) provides batteries for mines, underwater vehicles, and aerospace applications. In December 1995, high-powered, long-life lithium PSC batteries powered the successful measurement of Jupiter's atmosphere by the Galileo entry probe.

PSC Contact: Emerging_Power@atk.com

We have shifted our international demilitarization strategy from being an owner-operator to a supplier of equipment and services to improve our focus and performance. In the U.S. market, Global Environmental Solutions (GES) was awarded a $3.3 million contract in fiscal year 1996 for the reclamation of more than 25,000 Vietnam-era bombs.

New products and services with promising applications for the commercial marketplace include an uncooled infrared camera, non-lethal law enforcement systems, robotic mine clearing systems, alternative waste disposal techniques, and low-cost liquid crystal display alignment manufacturing processes.

Demil & GES Contact: Emerging_Demil@atk.com

Above: Left, Dr. William M. Labuda, Director, Advanced Technology Applications (ATA), and Dr. Theo Kooij, Program Manager, Tactical Technology Office, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), U.S. Department of Defense. In fiscal year 1996, ATA was awarded a $1.7 million contract from DARPA to develop and demonstrate a prototype SECURES system, which uses pole-mounted acoustic sensors to detect, analyze, and relay the location of gunfire in urban environments to law enforcement officials. Dr. Labuda holds one of the sensors, which employs sophisticated sonar technology originally developed for naval warfare and surveillance.

"The SECURES system will allow law enforcement personnel and emergency medical teams timely notification to respond to gunfire incidents, which can dramatically increase both the apprehension rates of 'shooters' and survival rates of gunshot victims. The concept shows tremendous potential for application, especially in our nation's cities where violent crime continues to grip urban populations."

Parris N. Glendening.

Mr. Glendening, currently Governor of Maryland, endorsed the SECURES system as County Executive, Prince George's County, Maryland.

 

Left to right: Bob Wainer, Business Area Manager, Rugged Products, Advanced Technology Applications (ATA), Mark Mikeal, IBM, and Sgt. Woody Sandy of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol in Raleigh, North Carolina, where IBM computers ruggedized by ATA are being tested by Sgt. Sandy and other troopers for use as a mobile accident information system.

 

High-powered, long-life lithium sulfur dioxide batteries designed and produced by our Power Sources Center powered measurements of Jupiter's atmosphere by the Galileo entry probe in December 1995.