6/30/2005 9:36:00 AM
BOTHELL, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 30, 2005–Microvision, Inc.
(Nasdaq:MVIS), the leader in light scanning technologies for display
and imaging products, announced today that it has received a $4.4
million contract from General Dynamics C4 Systems to advance the
development of a Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD) as a candidate
technology for the Air Warrior Block 3 system.
General Dynamics is under contract with the U.S. Army’s Product
Manager — Air Warrior in Huntsville, Ala., to develop and integrate
the Air Warrior Block 3 system, consisting of state-of-the-art
electronics and advanced, mission-specific protective clothing for
Army helicopter aircrew members.
The General Dynamics “soldier-as-a-system” solution includes a
Modular Integrated Helmet Display System (MIHDS). The MIHDS provides
integration and interface of symbology, imaging sensors, and
head-position tracking devices, permitting the aircrew a clear view of
the external environment during both day and night operations. The
Microvision HMD design will provide a full-color, see-through,
daylight and night-readable, high-resolution (800X600 pixels) display
as a candidate technology for the MIHDS.
The Air Warrior Block 3 system will be compatible with multiple
helicopter types, including the CH-47 Chinook, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior,
AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Blackhawk, and will be designed for future
interoperability with the Army’s Land Warrior and Future Combat
Systems programs.
The 12-month contract will focus on preparing the Microvision HMD
System for potential use in attack and utility helicopters, with
specific emphasis on continued ruggedization and miniaturization of
the HMD system. The previous phase of the program, with Microvision
contracting directly with the Army Aviation and Missile Command,
culminated in the delivery of a prototype full-color,
daylight-readable helmet-mounted display. The new contract is expected
to result in an upgrade for that display that will be ruggedized,
miniaturized, and soldier-wearable in a package similar to
Microvision’s Nomad Helmet-Mounted Display System.
“The Air Warrior system enhances Army helicopter crews’ lethality
and survivability by giving them better information and survival
equipment,” said Mark Showah, director of Intelligent Network Systems
for General Dynamics C4 Systems. “By researching, testing and
integrating technology and ensuring it is in concert with customer
requirements, we’re confident we can leverage the best technology
across the entire breadth of soldier systems.”
Rick Rutkowski, Microvision CEO, stated, “We are pleased and
excited to join General Dynamics in the Air Warrior Block 3 Program
because it is the largest development and production program for Army
aircrew equipment. Microvision’s scanned beam display technology is
particularly well suited for use in the Air Warrior Modular Integrated
Helmet Display System because of its unique abilities to provide
head-up display readability in full color in variable lighting
conditions, and to achieve the efficiencies associated with a small,
light-weight display that draws very low power.”
About Microvision: www.microvision.com
Headquartered in Bothell, Washington, Microvision, Inc. is the
world leader in the development of high-resolution displays and
imaging systems based on the company’s proprietary silicon
micro-mirror technology. The company’s technology has applications in
a broad range of military, medical, industrial, professional and
consumer products.
Microvision and its scanned beam display technology have been
recognized by IEEE Spectrum Magazine as one of “10 tech companies for
the next 10 years.”
Forward-Looking Statement
Certain statements contained in this release, including those
relating to future products, potential performance, markets and
product applications and those which use words such as “should,” and
“expect,” are forward-looking statements that involve a number of
risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those projected in the company’s
forward-looking statements include the following: market acceptance of
our technologies and products; our ability to obtain financing; our
financial and technical resources relative to those of our
competitors; our ability to keep up with rapid technological change;
government regulation of our technologies; our ability to enforce our
intellectual property rights and protect our proprietary technologies;
the ability to obtain additional contract awards and to develop
partnership opportunities; the timing of commercial product launches;
the ability to achieve key technical milestones in key products; and
other risk factors identified from time to time in the company’s SEC
reports, including in its Annual Report on 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004, and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
CONTACT: Microvision, Inc., Bothell
Matt Nichols (media), 425-415-6657
Brian Heagler (investors), 425-415-6794
SOURCE: Microvision, Inc.