Thousand Oaks, CA—May 13, 2004, TECOM Industries, Inc., announced today that the Missile Defense Agency has awarded a competitive contract for Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program to conduct research and development for Electronically Steerable Integrated Flight Intercept Control Station (IFICS) Data Terminal Antennas.

The overall objective of this effort is to develop a conceptual design for a ground based electronically steerable antenna suitable for interceptor communications. TECOM will apply its phased-array antenna technology and experience to develop the Data Terminal Antennas. The antenna developed under this SBIR will consist of an antenna element array, antenna beam-steering unit, phase shifters, Low Noise Amplifiers, and High Power Amplifier Assembly. The array is electronically steered in the elevation and azimuth planes and will be capable of receiving and transmitting in the 20 to 22 GHz range for the forward and return links between various military communications systems.  Additionally, the ground system developed under this SBIR will be capable of high power transmission, rapid steering, provide narrow beam width, and will exhibit the extremely low noise temperatures required to close the communication link at high data rates.

Elissa Seidenglanz, Vice President of Business Development states, "The current state of the art communication antennas are based on dish structures, the dynamics of which cannot meet emerging requirements. TECOM's experience with phased-array INMARSAT antennas provide an excellent basis to develop an electronically steerable antenna that allows for more rapid, frequent, and reliable connectivity. This win is strategic for TECOM in that the technology can be applied to numerous other applications such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), SATCOM On-The-Move terminals, and other systems utilized in the military tactical environment."

About TECOM Industries, Inc.

Established in 1971, TECOM Industries, Inc. specializes in the design and manufacture of antennas and antenna systems for the wireless communications, SATCOM, aerospace, and military markets. For more information about TECOM, please call (805) 267-0100 or visit our web site at www.tecom-ind.com.

About Smiths Interconnect

Smiths Interconnect, a division of Smiths Group, is a global provider of electronic application specific components and sub-systems for the electronics interconnect, telecommunications, medical, industrial, aerospace as well as military and satellite markets worldwide.

Smiths Interconnect businesses comprise of; EMC Technology, Florida RF Labs, Hypertac Interconnect, LEA International, PolyPhaser, Radio Waves, Sabritec, Summitek Instruments, TECOM Industries Inc., Times Microwave Systems, TRAK Microwave, Transtector Systems, Smiths Interconnect Shanghai and Smiths Interconnect Japan.  Each business is a leader in its field and trades under their own strong brand name.