Bremen-based space technology company OHB-System AG, and Elbit Systems Ltd. (ESLT) Haifa, Israel, an international defense company, through its subsidiary Elop Electro-Optics Industries Ltd., announced plans to set up a joint venture for common development and marketing of electro-optical systems and infrared payloads, suitable for deployment in space and for unmanned airborne vehicles(UAVs).
In the new venture, called OHB ELectroOPtics, the system and mission experience of OHB is combined with ELOP's experience in such fields as electro-optics and infrared technology.
Marketing is set to focus in the European region. The new venture OHB ELectroOPtics will be headquartered in Bremen.
Electro-optical sensors make use of the visible and of the infrared area of the electromagnetic spectrum and can generate images with resolutions of less than one meter to several kilometers.
Electro-optical systems are currently in use both on civilian satellites such as BIRD, EROS, ENVISAT and IKONOS as well as on meteorological satellites such as the European METEOSAT and on military reconnaissance platforms.
OHB-System AG is a medium-sized systems provider belonging to the European OHB Technology AG group, which employs roughly 300 people in the areas of space technology and security, telematics and satellite services. OHB-System AG specializes in space and security applications.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on Wednesday, May 12, 2004