May 11, 2006: Ultra Electronics Measurement Systems Inc. (Ultra MSI) has signed one of its largest military contracts ever - worth over $3.5 million - with Raytheon Co. Working with Raytheon’s locations in McKinney, Texas, Long Beach, California and El Segundo, California, Ultra MSI will supply advanced technology Hall-effect hand controls for use in Raytheon’s Improved Thermal Sight System (ITSS) used in the Marine Corps light-armored vehicles, the LAV-25.

Ultra MSI’s task was to develop a right hand operation, two-axis hand control that would easily direct the navigation and weapons functions of the LAV-25’s Improved Thermal Sight System. Ultra MSI’s Hall-effect joystick offers a simple, yet rugged design with an ergonomically comfortable grip-type handle. It provides complete control over ITSS, which can zoom and focus, change from day to night vision, control the camera’s field of vision and control gun movement and aiming functions. The LAV-25 is an all-terrain, all-weather vehicle with night capabilities. As the Marines primary armored vehicle, it is capable of quickly engaging and defeating soft and armored targets, while providing superior battlefield survival capability.

Raytheon’s new compact ITSS sighting system significantly boosts the ability of our troops to see the battlefield during the day, at night and in adverse conditions such as sand storms, rain, smoke and dust. Each ITSS contains a high-performance 2nd generation forward looking infrared imaging system, a laser rangefinder, an embedded fire control computer and a "far target" location system. Together, these elements form an integrated mission solution that offers Marine LAV and tank gunners a system to target and shoot enemy platforms at safe distances. ITSS is a powerful mission solution that provides confidence to Marines and other troops about their ability to accurately see the battlefield, 24/7.

Multi-function Joystick Capabilities

The battle worthy design of Ultra MSI’s hand control offers multi-layered card development with four Hall-effect sensors precisely located and fixed to the PC board in order to survive hostile environments. Its switch functions include laser fire, field of view, weapon selection, rate selection, ammo selection and polarity, with both palm and trigger switches. Built for reliability, it is manufactured with a robust machined aluminum inner housing and Teflon hard-coated ball and housing surfaces.

The Ultra MSI control offers the advantages of Hall-effect sensor technology, first patented and introduced by Ultra MSI in 1998. A Hall-effect sensor is a transducer that varies its output voltage in response to changes in magnetic field density. Because it is electrically non-contacting, with all circuitry and components securely encapsulated, a Hall-effect device typically is immune to water, dirt, dust, lubricants, shock and vibration. The non-contacting design doesn’t degrade, and provides a more accurate signal to the gunner. The quality and performance of Ultra MSI’s hand control is expected to offer the U.S. military many times the reliability of previous control units.

Ultra Electronics Measurement Systems Inc is the expert in precision Human Machine Interface (HMI) and electronic hardware solutions, including hand controls/grips, joysticks, trackballs and integrated systems. With the broadest line of products and accessories in the industry, and a proven track record of solving customer problems, Ultra Electronics MSI is recognized as the leading designer and manufacturer of positioning and tracking controls and electronic systems for military and commercial applications.