August 9, 2005: Measurement Systems Inc (Ultra MSI), a subsidiary of Ultra Electronics Holdings plc and a leading designer and manufacturer of human machine interface controls, has been awarded a $1.23m contract by Kongsberg Protech, Norway to provide upgraded hand controls used to operate its Remote Weapon Station (RWS).

Kongsberg Protech announced in June, 2005 that it received an order valued at approximately $48m from General Dynamics Land Systems for the delivery of weapons control systems for armored personnel carriers to the US Army. The order is for the US Army's Stryker program and the 5th of a total of six brigades. The order is part of a framework agreement signed with General Dynamics Land Systems in 2000. The recent contract includes an upgrade of the weapon to incorporate improvements in the fire control system. This upgrade includes improvements designed by Ultra MSI into the hand controls.

RWS is a remotely controlled weapon station for light and medium caliber weapons and can be installed on any type of vehicle. The principle underlying Kongsberg’s weapons control system is that a soldier can operate an exterior weapon from inside an armored personnel carrier, thus remaining protected from enemy fire. The system is mature and is in active service. It is accurate, reliable and safe and can be utilized on both wheeled and tracked vehicles. It is qualified for global operations.

The new design developed by Ultra MSI incorporates its patented Hall effect transducer technology into the hand control application. This new technology replaces a mounted grip design. Benefits of the new design include more accurate positioning and directional control, less weight and higher reliability. In addition, increased functionality has been added to the controls to accommodate improvements in the weapon station. Additional contracts to address new Stryker brigades and retrofits are expected in the future.

Ultra MSI Upgraded RWS Hand Control

Ultra MSI, located in Fairfield, CT, is the leader in Human Machine Interface (HMI) solutions, including controls/grips, industrial joysticks and trackball technology. With the broadest line of products and accessories in the industry, and a proven track record of solving customer problems, Ultra MSI is recognized as one of the foremost designers and manufacturers of positioning and tracking controls for both military and commercial applications.