UES Inc has received a $49 million contract for the Flash and Laser Airborne Protection Systems (FLAPS) research program under this new contract, said in the statement of the U.S. Department of Defense on 10 August.

The 6-year contract, announced Friday by the U.S. Department of Defense, provides develop materials and processing methodologies to conduct exploratory and advanced research and development of materials technologies to control, manipulate, and protect against photonic energy.

A team of scientific and engineering personnel from UES will work with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in this effort to increase aircrew survivability to flash-blindness and directed energy threats through unique and innovative R&D solutions, and to advance the current state-of-the-art in photonic materials technologies, interactions, and applications.

Mr. Rob Hull, who will lead the effort for UES, states that “This is an exciting win for UES allowing us to continue our work in protection technology development and provide us with the opportunity for transition of critical protection solutions directly to the warfighter.”

Dr. Nina Joshi, CEO, attributes UES’ success to the scientific expertise developed as part of the firm’s capabilities in Photonic and Electronic Technologies. “It’s also due in part to our unique strengths in managing and executing research projects. This contract complements and continues our research work in these areas at the AFRL.” She adds, “We’re honored to be a trusted partner in this effort.”

Founded in 1973, UES, Inc. is an innovative science and technology company that provides its government and industry customers with superior research and development expertise and world-class support.