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Jenoptik, Rheinmetall to develop laser-based flight simulators

07 Sep 2006

Partners hope precision simulators will further extend market from military to civilian aircraft.

German-based companies Jenoptik, Jena, and Rheinmetall Defence Electronics, Düsseldorf, have extended their cooperation with plans to develop laser-based flight simulation systems.

RDE will market the Jenoptik laser projection systems as the basis for its "AVIOR" laser projection system. Both players also plan to jointly develop the market for this technology in [civilian] flight simulation.

RDE will also be fitting the Jenoptik technology to three Tornado flight simulators for the German armed forces. One system has already been installed and is in operation. Work on the installation for the second simulator will start this year.

RDE and Jenoptik intend to develop new client groups for laser-based flight simulation systems, including expansion into the civil aviation market. This could significantly broaden the market for laser display technology.

RDE concluded a cooperation agreement in May this year with Lufthansa Flight Training (LFT) to gain certification for the laser projection system for simulator training in the civil aviation market. LFT will be carrying out the first conversion of an Airbus Full-Flight-Simulator to Rheinmetall's AVIOR laser projection system to obtain a license for the system through the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

The Airbus simulator will be equipped with a multi-channel laser projection system and offer advantages in terms of resolution, contrast, brightness, depth of field and color space.

The use of state-of-the-art laser technology also means in particular that the laser projection system should offer savings in its day-to-day operation compared with conventional (analogue) projection systems.

The RGB laser provides for projections of ultra-high quality moving images and on differently shaped projection surfaces. Since 2003, Jenoptik has continued to develop this technology specially for use in flight simulators and planetaria.

"The AVIOR laser systems now intended for use in the so-called Level D flight simulators in the civil aviation market, are the result of several years of development and mark the high point to-date in a new, future-orientated technology from Germany," Jenoptik says.

About Rheinmetall Defence Electronics

Rheinmetall Defence Electronics offers a comprehensive portfolio as a partner for the armed forces and the area of homeland security. In conjunction with the clients the company develops products and systems. Typical applications range from reconnaissance, fire control and management systems, to guided weapons platforms, through to drone systems for various areas of application.

The company is involved in numerous international client projects and in addition maintains a large number of industrial cooperation arrangements throughout the world. Rheinmetall Defence Electronics generates global sales of EUR 380 million with approx. 1,400 employees.

About the Jenoptik Group

The Jenoptik technology group specializes in photonics technologies and covers the "photonics chain" - from lasers, optics to measurement sensors. Mechatronics technologies, the combination of mechanics and electronics, round off the group profile. With approximately 2,800 employees the Jenoptik Group reported sales of EUR 410.1 million and a result from operating activities in 2005 of about EUR 25 million in its three divisions: Laser&Optics; Sensors and Mechatronics; and the holding company.

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