Merrimac, GD in codesign agreement for Merrimac's Multi-Mix technology
Satellite communciation proved resilient during Katrina, when all other means of communication collapsed; defense and homeland security are interested in the technology
Surely, you remember this dialog from “The Graduate”:
Mr. McGuire [Walter Brooke]: I want to say one word to you. Just one word.
Benjamin [Dustin Hoffman]: Yes, sir.
Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?
Benjamin: Yes, I am.
Mr. McGuire: Plastics.
Benjamin: Just how do you mean that, sir?
That was then (1967). These days, Mr. McGuire may have taken Benjamin aside and say: “Satellite communication.” When all other means of communication collapsed during, and in the immediate aftermath of, Hurricane Katrina, satellite communication went on working. We note, therefore, that West Caldwell, New Jersey-based Merrimac Industries earlier this week received both an Internal Research and Development (IRAD) and a new codesign contract as a follow-on to the IRAD contract for multifunction integrated modules from General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics . The initial design effort is valued at approximately $500,000. Final design and manufacture of the subassembly modules from the IRAD contract was completed and delivered in April 2007. Merrimac chairman and CEO Mason Carter rightly noted that “Although we have had a long standing customer relationship with General Dynamics, this project has taken our relationship to a new level. The co-design relationship with General Dynamics is evolving into one of strategic significance.”
The design and process engineers of both Merrimac and General Dynamics are now codesigning and using Merrimac’s Multi-Mix technology as the enabling technology to provide an integrated multifunction module for use in General Dynamics next generation satellite receivers.
Merrimac Industries is among the leaders in the design and manufacture of RF microwave signal processing components, subsystem assemblies, and micro-multifunction modules which are being used in aplications for the defense and homeland security sectors, as well as in satellite communications and commercial wireless services.
Falls Church, Virginia-based General Dynamics employs approximately 82,600 people worldwide, and had 2006 revenues of about $24.1 billion.
