Defense News Article on Symetrics’ IDM-PRISM: "Cockpit Imagery on the Cheap: U.S. Firm’s Modem Upgrades Popular in Europe"

Inspired by technology that enables real estate agents to transmit digital pictures of home interiors to a potential buyer’s cell phone, a Florida company has made it possible for combat pilots to receive and send pictures of their targets using their cockpit radio systems.

Symetrics Industries, which makes military products ranging from missile telemetry systems to palm-size micro unmanned aerial vehicles, is marketing a photo-capable data modem that it says could help combat pilots hit the right targets, enable them to change missions at a moment’s notice, speed up bomb damage assessment and turn strike aircraft into reconnaissance platforms.

And because the system uses an aircraft’s existing radio to send and receive, photo capability can be added at minimal cost, said Symetrics spokesman Jim Peterson. (By WILLIAM MATTHEWS)

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UK’s Westland Helicopters Limited selects Symetrics’ new IDM-501 for WHL’s Lynx solution for the UK MoD’s BLUH requirement

UK-based Westland Helicopters Limited (WHL) has selected Symetrics Industries’ new Improved Data Modem version 501 (IDM-501) to provide digital communications functionality in support to WHL’s Lynx solution being offered to meet the United Kingdom’s Battlefield Light Utility Helicopter (BLUH) requirement.

“This is a very gratifying program win for our team,” notes Mitch Garner, President CEO at Symetrics, “and it fully validates our business decision to design and develop a next generation IDM product with particular focus toward helicopter and UAV applications, where in addition to enhanced functionality, space and weight limitations are critical design considerations.”

Symetrics’ new opportunity to manufacture IDM-501s for the BLUH program further solidifies the company’s already well-established position of supporting the UK military with IDM technology; as currently the Symetrics-built IDM-302 is used on UK WAH-64 Apache Longbow helicopters, and IDM-302s (with PRISM imagery) are employed on the UK’s Jaguar fleet.

WHL selected Symetrics’ IDM-501 over the competing IDM-304 after conducting an extensive and comprehensive evaluation process for more than four months. The evaluation rigorously considered technical, functional, quality, integration, support, maintenance and life-cycle requirements. System interoperability with existing IDM-302s on UK aircraft, as well as interoperability throughout NATO forces were significant evaluation factors.

For ten consecutive years, Symetrics has served as the premier supplier of the IDM-302 to the US military and international militaries, and Symetrics’ IDMs currently provide digital communications on nearly 3,000 fixed and rotary wing operational aircraft in 11 countries. The IDM-501 is an outgrowth of Symetrics’ extensive experience during those ten years.

The IDM-501 is a sophisticated airborne data modem that uses embedded computers to allow data to be passed from aircraft-to-aircraft or to-and-from ground stations and/or maritime vessels, using existing onboard tactical voice radios.

The IDM-501 (referred to as IDM “Junior”) provides all the functionality of the IDM-302, but it is half the size, half the “footprint,” half the weight, significantly less than half the heat of the IDM-302, and it also costs less.

Improved Data Modems are used principally by military pilots to improve information sharing (voice and digital) - such as targets, weapons status or fuel status - between and among aircraft and ground stations to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of pilots in successfully executing their missions.

Symetrics’ IDM-501 is the newest offering in Symetrics’ Family of IDM Products. Those products range from the international IDM “standard” - the IDM-302 - to single card solutions that can be integrated into airborne mission computers, to PCMCIA solutions, and also including the PRISM product-line for imagery capture, compression and transmission/reception.

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US Army orders IDM from Symetrics for Apaches as part of $1.3 million government buy for Army and International Customers

Symetrics Industries announced today that it has begun work on a delivery order to manufacture 24 Improved Data Modems (IDM-302: MD-1295/A) to meet the needs of the US Army’s Aviation community on such platforms as the AH-64D Longbow Apache and OH-58D Kiowa helicopter programs. Symetrics received the $1,397,568 delivery order for the US Army from USAF Warner Robins Air Logistic Center through its existing contract vehicle. "The US Army urgently needed these IDMs, in the combat proven –302 configuration, to fill ‘holes’ in helicopters,” notes Mitch Garner, President of Symetrics, “and they knew that Symetrics would meet their quick delivery requirements.” Garner emphasizes that in 2002, Symetrics supported the Army on other requirements for quick turnarounds, saying, "Last year the Army ordered 35 IDMs from us, and we filled the order in near-record time. They know our team can deliver IDM equipment more reliably and consistently than anyone else, and that is the reason why they placed this order for more than $1.3 million with us.” The premiere manufacturer of the IDM-302, with nearly 3,000 IDMs on eleven nation’s aircraft worldwide, Symetrics will provide the current builds in mid-2004, bringing Symetrics’ total sales of IDMs to more than $120 million dollars to its principal customers, the US Army, US Air Force, and international air forces and armies. The IDM-302 is a sophisticated airborne data modem that uses embedded computers to allow data to be passed from aircraft-to-aircraft or to-and-from ground vehicles or stations and/or maritime vessels, using existing tactical voice radios; without adding radios or modifying the aircraft's OFP. The IDM is used principally by military pilots to improve information sharing (voice and digital) - such as targets, weapons status or fuel status - between and among aircraft and ground stations to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of pilots in successfully executing their missions. The IDM-302, that was part of this US Army procurement, is one of many variations of IDM systems that comprise the Symetrics’ Family of IDM Products. Those products range from single card solutions that can be integrated into airborne mission computers to smaller form factors of Line Replaceable Units (LRU) that can be flown on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and other aviation platforms with space and weight limitations that this require IDM functionality.

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Symetrics earns $3.3 million

Symetrics Industries announced two awards to manufacture and deliver Improved Data Modems (IDMs) Version 302, valued at more than $3.3 million. Under Delivery Orders 9 and 10 - stemming from a 1999 contract with USAF Warner Robins Air Logistic Center - Symetrics will produce 24 IDM-302s for the US Army and 33 IDMs for Chile, Israel and Oman. "Our team is certainly pleased that the international community consistently recognizes the IDM-302 as a viable, integral and critical component of their airborne situational awareness," said Ron Frye, Symetrics’ Vice President Business Development. "Orders from international customers continue to fill our production line for the 302 version IDM, and that line has essentially been constant for the past ten years."

Nearly 3,000 Symetrics-built IDM-302s are on eleven nation’s aircraft worldwide. Symetrics will provide the current systems in mid-2004, to Chile for the F-16, Israel for the AH-64D Longbow Apache, and Oman for the F-16 (Delivery 9 for $1,921,656) and the US Army for the AH-64D Longbow Apache (Delivery Order 10 for $1,397,568).

Symetrics is the only manufacturer of the IDM-302, and the team manufactures the system at its facility in Melbourne, Florida at production rates often exceeding their customers’ expectations. "In early 2002, we filled an order from Turkey well before our customer’s expected delivery date," said Frye. Such performance is one of the many benefits of having a well-established supply chain, a proven product, and mature and stable production processes.

"It is difficult for newer ‘generation’ data modems to compete with the 302 version IDM, simply because customers can not be certain that the newer versions can be delivered in the required timeframe," noted Jeff Rosson, Symetrics Vice President Engineering. "The sale to Turkey last year really hinged on the fact that the customer believed we could deliver on-time, and that other suppliers could not," said Rosson.

Symetrics begins work on the two new awards while the team is also working to integrate the IDM with PRISMTM (or PRISM-IDM) on F-16s for The Netherlands Air Force. Recently, Symetrics completed sales of 52 PRISM-IDMs to the United Kingdom, which have been integrated on the UKs combat Jaguar fleet.

The PRISM" (Photo Recon Intelligence Strike Module) is an inexpensive single- card addition to the IDM that allows imagery to be sent over voice radios. This capability provides pilots with actual target pictures displayed in the cockpit, dramatically enhancing target identification, engagement accuracy, battle damage assessment and pilot safety, while reducing errors, collateral damage, and expense.

The MD-1295/A IDM-302 is a sophisticated airborne data modem that uses embedded computers to allow data to be passed from aircraft-to-aircraft or to-and-from ground vehicles or stations and/or maritime vessels, using existing tactical voice radios; without adding radios or modifying the aircraft's OFP.

The IDM is used principally by military pilots to improve information sharing s(voice and digital) - such as targets, weapons status or fuel status - between and among aircraft and ground stations to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of pilots in successfully executing their missions.

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Symetrics comes out ahead of ICI in legal war

As everyone knows, the only persons who win in a lawsuit are the lawyers. Such was the case in the matter of ICI versus Symetrics. After 9 months, nearly a million dollars in legal fees, and a three-day trial in March, the case is finally over. You can decide for yourself who won…

The bottom line in the case

The court ruled on two issues. First, Chief Judge Claude Hilton ordered Symetrics to pay $15,290 in damages to ICI. This extremely small amount indicates that Symetrics actions were not willful, since willful infringement would have brought a much greater determination of damages, and seems to indicate the relative net worth the court placed on ICI’s legal position. Secondly, the Chief Judge stated that Symetrics is “enjoined from making private sales of IDM hardware with embedded copyrighted IDM software”. At first glance, this seems like a broad injunction, however, all the customers that Symetrics wishes to support with the 302 version of the IDM already legally possess the IDM software. Consequently, this does not affect our ability to service those customers, and there are several ways to meet their potential needs for additional IDM-302 hardware, and still be in compliance with the court order.

What you won’t hear from ICI

The Chief Judge also ruled on many findings of fact, which demonstrate that Symetrics’ actions were legitimate and reasonable. Two key points - Symetrics never received any ICI software marked with a copyright notice, and the United States Government had unlimited rights in the software at the time it transferred the software to Symetrics without restriction. The court also found that ICI time and time again failed to follow the very simple contract regulations regarding intellectual property rights. In fact, ICI’s entire case hinged on a very questionable contract mod signed 27 days after they filed the complaint!

Another notable point – ICI tried desperately during the trial to get the court to somehow restrict activity of Symetrics’ next generation of IDM, the IDM-501, and the court dismissed all of these attempts. ICI continually alleged during the litigation that Symetrics must have copied ICI’s software in order to develop the IDM-501. However, a software expert from ICI’s own legal team conducted an extensive comparison of the source code from both products and concluded that there was no way the IDM-501 code could be a copy of ICI’s code.

Additionally, ICI would have you believe that they are the sole controlling source of IDM software. The fact is, that by nature of their paying for the development of it, the US Government controls and can decide who gains access to that code.

Ask ICI if they honestly think they won this case. They spent over a half million dollars and wound up with a miniscule judgment and a very deliberately worded injunction. Symetrics still has several ways to sell version 302 IDMs commercially. ICI’s efforts to shut down the IDM-501 were squashed. Would that be worth it to you?

And in conclusion…

So who won? You can be the judge (no pun intended)! Read both the opinion and court order yourself. One thing you can be sure of – Symetrics will always be open and honest with the facts, and will let the market make up its own mind. After all, according to ICI’s original complaint, that’s what really started this whole mess…a customer chose Symetrics over ICI…and as always, the lawyers were the only ones that “won”!

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Symetrics Wins Contract for the Patriot Missile Single and Dual-frequency Telemetry Kits

Symetrics Industries, LLC, Melbourne, Fla., is being awarded a ceiling-priced $34,482,060 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of four first article and 204 Patriot Missile single and dual-frequency telemetry kits for the U.S. Army (two first article; 55 kits) and the governments of Japan (two first article; 98 kits), Saudi Arabia (50 kits), and Greece (one kit) under the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency Flight Support Foreign Military Sales Program (NAMSA FMS). Work will be performed in Melbourne and is to be completed in November 2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under a request for proposals, with five proposals solicited and five offers received. The first delivery order under this contract combines purchases for the U.S. Army (37 percent) and the governments of Japan (33 percent); Saudi Arabia (29 percent); and Greece (1 percent) under the NAMSA FMS Program. The Na val Air Systems Command, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity (N68936-02-D-0046).

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Symetrics' $1.25 million Sale of Improved Data Modem (IDM) to Turkey

Symetrics Industries (Melbourne, Florida USA) announced today the $1.25 million (US) sale of its MD-1295/A Improved Data Modem (IDM) to Aselsan, Turkey, for immediate delivery to the Turkish Land Forces (TLF). TLF will integrate the IDMs as part of an upgrade program of Turkey’s UH-60 Blackhawk and AH-1 Cobra helicopter fleets.

TLF has purchased two different versions of the Improved Data Modem. Version 1 - “standard IDM (-302)” - facilitates digital communications over existing voice tactical radios already on-board the aircraft. Version 2 is an upgrade just completed within the last year - the PRSIM"-IDM that allows for the capture, compression and transmission of video imagery over the same voice radios that the IDM uses for digital data. PRISM" stands for Photo Recon Intel Strike Module".

"It is extremely gratifying to be able to use the platform of Asian Aerospace 2002 to announce the IDM sale to Turkey,” noted Ron Frye, Symetrics' Vice President of Business Development. “This prestigious show is a perfect venue for our team to tell key officials in the Asian and international markets about the increased operational capabilities the Improved Data Modem can add to a variety of military aircraft – improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the warfighter."

With this purchase the Turkish Land Forces becomes the tenth country to employ the IDM, and establishes itself as only the second international organization using the PRISM"-IDM with both digital data transfer capability and real-time video imagery transfer capability integrated on operational combat aviation assets. In December last year, the United Kingdoms Royal Air Force completed integration of 50 PRSIM"-IDMs on its entire fleet of Jaguar combat aircraft.

PRISM"-IDM epitomizes the adage that "A picture is worth a thousand words," and it dramatically improves effectiveness and safety of combat air operations, particularly in multi-national and international environments; where the IDM’s digital data and video imagery transfer capabilities eliminate the problems associated with standard voice-radio communications.

The PRISM"-IDM allows fighter pilots to receive while in flight images of targets derived from sensors on satellites, UAVs, other aircraft and/or ground stations. The system provides real-time images in the cockpit, improves target ID/hits, reduces pilot danger and collateral damage, and allows for virtually instantaneous battle damage assessment (BDA) to be provided to follow-on sorties, the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC), and air, land and maritime commanders.

Version 1 of the Improved Data Modem (IDM) – the “basic IDM” – is a flight-proven, off-the-shelf system that provides an open architecture, multi-path approach to situational awareness in the cockpit. More than 2,500 units have delivered to the US Army and Air Force, as well as ten international military customers. Version 2 the PRISM"-IDM is a simple, inexpensive and easy-to-integrate upgrade of Version 1, adding a single additional SEM-E module to provide the video imagery capture and transmission capability to the basic IDM.

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Langkawi, Malaysia’s LIMA 2001 Show Presents Symetrics to Asian Markets

Symetrics used the unique venue of the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Show (LIMA) 2001, Langkawi, Malaysia, October 8-14, 2001 to further expand exposure of its products to international air and maritime forces, with particular emphasis on Asian defense-related organizations.

“The Asian defense marketplace is a very important and growing potential customer-base for our products,” notes Jim Peterson, Symetrics’ Business Development Manager. “What makes the LIMA show particularly interesting is that since it is held on an island - Langkawi - where naval ships and other maritime vessels are brought for exhibition, our team gets exposure to not only Air Force and Army customers, but to Navy customers as well.”

Malaysia’s Chief of Defense Forces General Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohd Zahidi Haji Zainuddin remarks that “The LIMA Exhibition has always been an extremely important event for the Malaysian Defence Forces to identify, evaluate and source for the latest products and equipment that are available in the world market.”

More than 300 international corporations exhibited at the LIMA 2001 trade show, and countries represented included China, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, UK, Ukraine, and USA. Symetrics presented information about four of its principal products: 1) the Improved Data Modem (IDM); 2) the PRISM"-enhanced IDM (PRISM" stands for Photo Recon Intel Strike Module"); 3) the UFIR (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - UAV - to Fighter Imagery Relay) system; and 4) the AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispenser System (CMDS).

Symetrics conducted live demonstrations of its PRISM"-IDM, which is currently being integrated into the United Kingdoms Jaguar aircraft fleet, and many nations air forces are anticipated to soon follow the UKs innovative lead. Symetrics Vice President Business Development, Ron Frye, notes, The PRISM" -IDM presents a perfect opportunity for virtually any countrys air force to dramatically upgrade its aircraft. This equipment provides Tactical Information Distribution System capability including imagery while being inexpensive and easy to integrate, using the aircraft’s existing voice radios.”

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Symetrics wins $16M USAF contract to build Countermeasures Dispenser Systems

Symetrics Industries, Inc., announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the United States Air Force worth approximately $16.8 million to manufacture the AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispenser System (CMDS), employed on various fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.

This effort supports foreign military sales (FMS) to the Netherlands. “This is a very important new opportunity for our team,” said Ron Frye, Symetrics’ VP Business Development. “It represents a new product line, and further expands our value to the US and international military aviation communities.”

The AN/ALE-47 CMDS - is an integrated, reprogrammable, computer controlled system to dispense expendables/decoys to enhance aircraft survivability. Used on the F-16 fighter, HC-60 Blackhawk helicopter, C-130 transport aircraft and C-17 Globemaster, CMDS is designed to employ electronic and infrared countermeasures according to a program developed and implemented by the on-board aircrew.

CMDS provides the aircrew with a "smart” countermeasures dispensing system, allowing the aircrew to optimize the countermeasures employed against anti-aircraft threats. The ALE-47 system is an upgraded version of the ALE-40; the ALE-47 is more automated and is programmable, to better enhance its capabilities depending on aircraft mission. The AN/ALE-47 system consists of five major components and several sub-components: control display units, programmers, safety switches, sequencers and dispensers.

For this contract, the US Air Force solicited 22 companies, and Symetrics was selected as the representing the “Best Value” of the six proposals submitted to USAF’s Air Logistics Center, Warner Robins Air Force Base, GA., the contracting activity.

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“Is it a plane, a bird ….?” Vehicle (MAV) Big Hit at Paris Air Show

Symetrics Industries’ eight-inch long Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV) generated sizeable interest at the Paris International Air Show 2001, Le Bourget, France, appearing as a feature picture on the cover of the air show’s prestigious Aviation Week Show News magazine and serving as the subject of a television filming for the Bravo TV Network.

The MAV Program is a joint research project with NASA, ARINC (Annapolis, MD), Symetrics and the University of Florida to develop a family of miniature airborne platforms for scientific research purposes, commercial industry and Defense applications. The MAV - nicknamed “Gator” by the Symetrics/ARINC team in honor of the University of Florida and the UF Gator sticker affixed to the wings - was the smallest flyable aircraft on display at the Paris Air Show.

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Symetrics Exhibits Four New Products at Paris Air Show

Symetrics Industries, Inc., exhibited four new products at the Paris International Air Show 2001, including the PRISM"-IDM (Photo Recon Intel Strike Module" Improved Data Modem) and the MAV (Micro Aerial Vehicle).

Ron Frye, Symetrics’ VP Business Development, notes, “Paris is a great venue for us to tell key officials in the international market about various new products of significant benefit to the military, civil and commercial aviation communities.”

PRISM"-IDM(Photo Recon Intel Strike Module" Improved Data Modem)

THEME: A picture is worth a thousand words

MAIN POINT: Dramatically improve effectiveness and safety of combat air operations, particularly in multi-national and international environments

WHAT IS IT: Electronic system allows fighter pilots to receive - while in flight - images of targets derived from sensors on satellites, UAVs, other aircraft or ground stations.

WHY IMPORTANT: First-time ever system to provide real-time images in the cockpit; improves target ID and hits, reduces pilot danger, reduces collateral damage.

EXAMPLE: Capability would have been (and yet be) particularly important in Bosnia/Kosovo.

UFIR (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - UAV - to Fighter Imagery Relay)

Theme: UFIR proves value as tactical “Eyes-in-the-Skies”

Main Point: UAVs to play critical role in future international military operations.

What it is:Employment of the US Air Force UAV “Predator” - to serve as a mobile aerial platform to take pictures of tactical ground targets and then relay those pictures to combat aircraft and/or ground stations (using PRISM"-IDMs).

Why important: Recent first-time ever successful execution of UFIR operation; UFIR will reduce manned aircraft and pilot requirements, increase pilot longevity, reduce aircraft operating expenses.

Example: UFIR could be employed over Iraq to monitor the No-Fly Zone.

MAV (Micro Aerial Vehicle)

THEME: “Is it a plane, a bird ….?”

MAIN POINT: Small aircraft will have a big role in future applications; Diverse uses in military, commercial and civil sectors; reconnaissance, surveillance, humanitarian missions, etc. - combat, search and rescue, law enforcement, border patrol, drug interdiction, etc.

WHAT IS IT: Developmental prototype for NASA-based project - mini/micro aircraft that can function safely, effectively and efficiently.

WHY IMPORTANT: Smaller, cheaper, and expendable aircraft will perform functions of bigger and more-costly aircraft; Great example of synergy between government, commercial enterprise, and academe (NASA, ARINC, Symetrics, University of Florida).

EXAMPLE: Conduct reconnaissance to discover injured people inside an upper-story apartment of an earthquake-damaged building.

ACAMS (Aircraft Condition Analysis and Management System)

THEME: “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.”

MAIN POINT: Will contribute significantly to safer commercial air travel.

WHAT IS IT: FAA-based project to improve flight-safety for commercial aircraft; system of sensors distributed throughout the airplane, computers and software. Not just diagnostic, but also predictive capabilities (identify potential problems or failures before they occur).

WHY IMPORTANT: Airline travel will become ever-more popular and crowded (and dangerous), with aging fleets or airliners; ACAMS will help minimize the potential dangers.

EXAMPLE: ACAMS could ID an unusual stress-point on an airliner’s wing-flap, and relay that info to the pilot, to a central monitoring ground-station, and to the maintenance crew at the airport where the airliner will land.

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Symetrics Announces New Technology Sale to the United Kingdom

Symetrics Industries, Inc., announced today that it has been awarded a delivery order contract by the United Kingdom’s Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), with a value of over $3.2 million, to manufacture and deliver 50 units of the new technology Photo Reconnaissance Intel Strike Module (PRISMTM)-equipped MD-1295/A: Improved Data Modem (IDM) for integration onboard the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) fleet of Jaguar Fighter aircraft.

In addition to the flight-proven, off-the-shelf functionality of the standard IDM to provide for the interconnection of up to four separate "voice-only" radios to create a multi-path, digital communications architecture, the new PRISMTM-equipped IDM (or PRISMTM-IDM) will allow the UK Jaguar pilots to capture, compress and transmit/receive frames of video imagery over those same radios.

This award represents the first integration of this type of imagery capture and transmission capability across a fleet of tactical fighter aircraft. As a product, the PRISMTM-IDM is the culmination of a cooperative joint development project between Symetrics Industries, Inc. and PhotoTelesis®, Incorporated of San Antonio, Texas.

A demonstration of the integration of the PRISMTM-IDM onboard the UK Jaguar first occurred at last year’s Farnborough International Air Show (outside of London) in a joint exhibit by Symetrics-DERA-PhotoTelesis®. Based upon that successful demonstration and another conducted by the US Air Force’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Battle Laboratory in December 2000, the RAF determined that the digital communications and imagery capability of the PRISMTM-IDM was mission-essential for their Close Air Support (CAS) requirements.

Following the premise that “a picture is worth a thousand words”, the PRISMTM-IDM allows fighter pilots to receive, while in flight, images of targets derived from sensors onboard satellites, UAVs, other aircraft or ground observers, so that he/she may have the most current information before engaging the target. While attacking the target, frames of video information can be captured and transmitted back to Command Headquarters and other aircraft for early Battle Damage Assessment (BDA). This capability would have been particularly helpful during operations in the Balkans or the Persian Gulf, and has significant application to future military air operations.

According to Mr. Ronald Frye, Vice President of Business Development for Symetrics, “We anticipate that following this award, other IDM users, like the US Air Force and European Participating Air Forces, will consider adding the PRISMTM as a low-cost modification to their existing hardware.”

More than 2,000 IDMs have been delivered to the U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy, and international customers since the initial production contract was awarded to Symetrics in 1993. The Air Force has recognized Symetrics’ IDM program performance for four consecutive years with a Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs) “Blue” rating.

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Symetrics' PRISM™ - IDM Perfect During Imagery Transfer On-Board UAV, F-14, F-16 and UK Jaguar

Symetrics Industries' PRISM™- IDM performed perfectly during a first-ever technical demonstration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to Fighter Imagery Relay, or UFIR, conducted with multinational, multi-service aircraft at the US Navy's Naval Air Weapons Station (NWS) China Lake, California.

"The technical demonstration was a resounding success," noted US Air Force Major Earl "Duke" Odom, UFIR Project Manager, UAV Battlelab at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

"It clearly accomplished the intended purpose, to demonstrate the military utility of using UAVs to relay imagery between operational fighter aircraft and an Air Operations Center on the ground," Odom noted. "Critical pieces of the demo included the employment of a UAV Predator, aircraft from more than one service, and participation by the UK."

Conducted in December 2000 by USAF's UAV Battlelab, in cooperation with the United Kingdom's Defense Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), the demonstration successfully proved the interoperability capability for video image reception and transmission between a ground station, Predator UAV, Navy F-14, Air Force F-16, and a United Kingdom (UK) Jaguar, over existing voice radios.

"This was a perfect opportunity for synergy with the US Air Force," said Ken Edwards, UK DERA Program Manager for the UK Ministry of Defense's Extendor Program. "Our Extendor Program and USAF's UFIR Program are very similar, so working together offered us the opportunity to test the Predator and PRISM™- IDM and the interoperability between our aircraft, while at the same time reducing expense.

" The PRISM™- IDM served as the core equipment for receiving, processing and transmitting imagery between the various platforms in the demonstration, and was "critical to the success of the UFIR demonstration," according to Randy Hoeffer, Aviation Programs Manager for PhotoTelesis®, San Antonio, TX. PhotoTelesis® invented the technology used in the PRISM™ circuit card.

The "basic" IDM allows the transmission of digital information over voice radios, and is integrated on various military aircraft. The IDM's new imagery module is called the PRISM™, or Photo Reconnaissance Intelligence Strike Module. When incorporated into one of the SEM-E card slots in the IDM, the IDM is termed "PRISM™-equipped IDM" or "PRISM™- IDM"; in that configuration, imagery can be transmitted over voice-only radio systems.

The following six tasks of imagery capture, transmission and/or reception were accomplished during the December 2000 UFIR technical demonstration:

This demonstration completes Phase I of the UFIR Program. Phase II will be an operational demonstration during USAF's full-scale Red Flag Exercise in August 2001 at Nellis Air Force Base, NV.

"Successful completion of Phase I is a major milestone on the UFIR project," notes Rick Snyder, Symetrics Vice President for Systems Engineering and Integration. "We are looking forward to the Red Flag Exercise. It will employ the PRISM™- IDM on-board an increased number of aircraft in an 'operational' scenario, where the PRISM™- IDM will be used to transmit imagery over the Ku-band SATCOM link for identifying, confirming and engaging 'real' targets."

Major Odom points out that following Red Flag, it is anticipated that post-exercise assessments of the UFIR program will confirm UFIR's military utility, specifically: 1) Increasing AOC Time-Critical Targeting; 2) Providing imagery capability for the F-16, enhancing precision engagement and air-and-space superiority; 3) Increasing transmission range and flexibility for engagement of time-critical targets; and 4) Near-instantaneous availability of battle damage assessment (BDA) for relay to the Air Operations Center.

"The utility of the PRISM™- IDM capability is only limited by the warfighters imagination," observed Hin Chan, Lead System Engineer for the US Navy's F-14.

Symetrics' IDM is a flight-proven, off-the-shelf complex modem that allows for the interconnection of up to four separate "voice-only" radios to create a multi-path, digital communications architecture. IDMs - with their capability to transmit digital information over voice radios - are integrated on a variety of US and foreign military aircraft, including the F-16, AH-64D, EA-6B and RC-135.

The IDM's new PRISM™ imagery technology employs a "Box-within-a-box" approach to integration. The PRISM™ receives from the IDM only power and electrical "plumbing" to the platform's video, communications and command busses. Essentially, the PRISM™ acts as a separate box that simply resides inside another system already onboard the aircraft (the IDM). The PRISM™- IDM is integrated easily, without modification to the aircraft's OFP, and does not affect any of the software or performance of the IDM.

PRISM™- IDM features demonstrate significant improvements over other systems: 1) transmission times of 15 seconds or less; 2) Wavelet and JPEG compression for the smallest file sizes and the best quality images; 3) fully developed, low cost ground support package; 4) interoperability with other service imagery systems; and 5) no impact upon IDM performance.

At a fraction of the cost of a new radio, the PRISM™- IDM provides quality video imagery and digital communications over existing voice radio equipment. As a COTS item, the PRISM™- IDM is available to meet the customer's immediate needs, without large development costs. The combination of the PRISM™'s video imagery abilities with the IDM's core capability of passing digital information between all platforms - independent of nationality, service, or mission profile - makes the PRISM™- IDM a uniquely versatile and cost-effective "International Digital Translator".

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United Kingdom’s DERA buys PRISM™-IDM After Successful Demo from Jaguar Aircraft

For the first time ever from an international combat aircraft, Symetrics Industries, Inc., successfully demonstrated its Improved Data Modem (IDM) with PRISM™ technology, by transmitting video imagery from a United Kingdom (UK) Jaguar aircraft to a receiving ground-station at Farnborough (London), England.

Following the successful demonstration of the new PRISM™ technology, the UK’s Defense Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), Farnborough, contracted with Symetrics for the purchase of a PRISM™- IDM to use in further operational testing of the equipment’s applications on-board UK combat aircraft. This technology allows for the capture and transmission of video images; and provides the pilot, the air operations controllers, and commanders, an actual physical picture of the target.

During the Farnborough International Air Show, in cooperation with UK DERA and the UK Royal Air Force (RAF), Symetrics proved that its PRISM™- IDM is a simple, effective and affordable method of transmitting "real-time" video imagery from or to combat aircraft.

"This was a very important step forward in the development of Symetrics’ IDM program," said Ron Frye, Symetrics’ Vice President of Business Development. "Our work with PhotoTelesis, Inc., of San Antonio, Texas, to add a video imagery function to the IDM’s existing digital information transfer capabilities, provides customers significant increased performance at minimal cost."

The IDM is a flight-proven, off-the-shelf complex modem that allows for the interconnection of up to four separate "voice-only" radios to create a multi-path, digital communications architecture. In production for eight years under a contract with the US Air Force, the IDM allows for the transmission of digital information over the voice radios, and is integrated on a variety of US and foreign military aircraft, including the F-16, AH-64D, EA-6B and RC-135.

The IDM’s new video imagery module is called the PRISM™, or Photo Reconnaissance Intelligence Strike Module. When incorporated into one of the SIM-E card slots inside the IDM, the IDM is termed "PRISM™-equipped IDM" or "PRISM™- IDM."

PRISM-IDM features demonstrate significant improvements over other systems: 1) transmission times of 15 seconds or less; 2) Wavelet and JPEG compression for the smallest file sizes and the best quality images; 3) a fully developed, low cost ground support package; 4) interoperability with other service imagery systems; and 5) no impact upon existing IDM performance.

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PRISM™- IDM Provides Enhanced Situational Awareness

The PRISM™- IDM is equipped to handle various mission profiles. In one scenario, images of potential targets obtained from satellite or UAV reconnaissance platforms are loaded via data cartridge into the PRISM™’s memory, for viewing later in-flight. During flight, as new target imagery is received at the Operations Center, it is compressed and transmitted via the voice radios, then decompressed and viewed by the pilot. Once in the target area, the pilot directs his sensors at the target, captures video frames of the target and sends them back to the Operations Center for confirmation. Simultaneously, the pilot can send digital messages with the IDM over another one of the platform's radios.

Upon clearance to engage, the pilot can capture images of the missile/bomb in-flight, at impact, and of the post-attack effects. Then, in near real-time, the pilot can review, edit and transmit images to the Operations Center for preliminary Bomb Damage Assessment (BDA). The pilot can send the same imagery to inbound sorties, so that follow-on pilots will have the most current images of the target after the first attack. Upon return to base, all of the captured images can be downloaded to a data cartridge for post-mission debriefing and complete BDA. This scenario clearly demonstrates the benefit of video imagery in the cockpit; eliminating much of the uncertainty of battle and providing a conduit for expeditiously sharing vital tactical and reconnaissance information.

At a fraction of the cost of a new radio, the PRISM™- IDM provides quality video imagery and digital communications over existing voice radio equipment. As a COTS item, the PRISM™- IDM is available to meet the customer's immediate needs, without large development costs. The combination of the PRISM™’s video imagery abilities with the IDM's core capability of passing digital information between all platforms - independent of nationality, service, or mission profile -makes the PRISM™- IDM a uniquely versatile and cost-effective "International Digital Translator."

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Symetrics Discusses Product Developments in Belgium and England

Symetrics Industries, Inc. recently completed coordination meetings in Brussels, Belgium, and London, England, exploring opportunities for its specialized electronics design, manufacturing and integration services in those countries, as well as other nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the international political-military alliance.

"NATO is the world's pre-eminent political-military alliance, and Symetrics is gratified to have contributed to the effectiveness of NATO's recent air operations in Bosnia and Kosovo," said Ron Frye, Symetrics' Vice President of Business Development. "We are now working to expand opportunities to further serve NATO's defense and commercial requirements for individual member countries, and NATO overall."

Symetrics' discussions focused on demonstration at the Farnborough (London) International Air Show, July 24-30, of its product enhancement to its highly-successful Improved Data Modem (IDM) - the Photo Reconnaissance Strike Module (PRISM™), which adds video imagery capture and transmission capability to the IDM.

During the Farnborough Air Show, for the first time ever on an other-than U.S. aircraft, in cooperation with the UK Defense Evaluation Research Agency (DERA) and the UK Royal Air Force (RAF), Symetrics successfully employed its PRISM™-equipped IDM to transmit video imagery from a UK Jaguar combat fighter. The combination of the PRISM™’s video imagery capacity with the IDM's core capability of passing digital information between all platforms - independent of nationality, service, or mission profile - makes the PRISM™-IDM a uniquely versatile and cost-effective "International Digital Translator."

While in Belgium, Symetrics' Business Development Manager, Jim Peterson, met with representatives of the US State Department's Office of Defense Cooperation, the UK Defense Evaluation Research Agency (Brussels Office), and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe - the military headquarters for the 19-nation NATO alliance. In London, Peterson met with the President and Director of Enterprise Florida's United Kingdom office, and participated in an annual Unmanned Vehicle Conference, meeting with military and industry representatives involved with the manufacturing and application of unmanned vehicles.

During NATO's air operations in the conflicts in Bosnia and Kosovo, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands employed the Symetrics-built Improved Data Modem (IDM) on-board various combat airplanes and helicopters. The IDM is a flight-proven, off-the-shelf complex modem that allows for the interconnection of up to four separate "voice-only" radios to create a multi-path, digital communications architecture. The IDM allows for the transmission of digital information over voice radios, and is integrated on a variety of US and foreign military aircraft, including the F-16, AH-64D, EA-6B and RC-135.

When the new PRISM™ video imagery module is incorporated into one of the SIM-E card slots inside the IDM, the IDM is termed "PRISM™- equipped IDM" or "PRISM™- IDM." This technology allows for the capture and transmission of video images; and provides the pilot, the air ops controllers (ground, AWACs, JSTARS, etc.), and commanders, an actual physical picture of the target transmitted from or to the aircraft.

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