EL SEGUNDO, USA: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, in the fourth quarter of 2011, solidified its leadership of the US liquid-crystal display (LCD) market, as its share of unit shipments reached a record high, according to the IHS iSuppli Television Systems Service.
During the final three months of 2011, Samsung accounted for nearly one-quarter of US LCD TV shipments, at 23.6 percent, as shown in the figure attached. This represented the largest share of the market ever posted by Samsung on a quarterly basis, and allowed the South Korean electronics giant to pad its lead over No.2 brand VIZIO Inc. of Irvine, Calif.
“Samsung triumphed in the price war that raged in the US LCD market in the fourth quarter of 2011,” said Tom Morrod, senior analyst and head of TV Technology for IHS. “The company was able to offer a range of price-competitive sets with a rich choice of features that US consumers wanted. This allowed the company to outperform the competition during the all-important holiday selling season.”
In an example of how Samsung was able to capitalize on its broad range of products, the company in the fourth quarter sold two LCD TV models that were identical in every way, except that one integrated the older cold-cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlighting—while the other employed the newer and more expensive light-emitting diode (LED) technology. This gave consumers a clear choice of features and price points.
Samsung in the fourth quarter extended its market-share lead over US-based VIZIO to 8.2 percentage points, up from 6.2 points in the third quarter. Just a year earlier, in the fourth quarter of 2010, the companies’ positions were reversed, with VIZIO leading Samsung by 7.2 points. Samsung may be positioned to further expand its lead over VIZIO in 2012 because of another factor separate from LCD-TV market dynamics.
“The recent Free Trade Agreement between the United States and South Korea will remove tariffs imposed on Korean firms selling TVs in America,” Morrod said. “Because of this accord, Samsung and fellow South Korean brand LG Electronics are poised to increase their shipments in the United States this year.”
LCD-TV shipments spike in Q4
The US LCD TV market shipments experienced strong sequential growth in the fourth quarter of 2011, rising by 30.7 percent compared to the third quarter.
Lower-than-expected demand and uncertainty about the US economic recovery had caused LCD shipments to fall going into the second quarter. However, aggressive pricing helped boost sales at the end of the year—the time when holiday sales typically peak. Overall average LCD TV prices in the fourth quarter fell to about $1,032, a $16 drop from the third quarter.
The strong fourth-quarter increase helped the US LCD-TV market to eke out a small increase in 2011, with shipments rising to 33.4 million units for the year, up 0.4 percent from 33.2 million in 2010.
Source: IHS iSuppli, USA.
Monday, April 2, 2012
DfT from design to delivery in a single tool
SHANGHAI, CHINA: ASTER Technologies, the leading supplier in board-level testability and test coverage analysis products, has announced the first tool to provide an integrated workflow for DfT and test coverage analysis from design through to product delivery, which will be shown at Nepcon Shanghai, booth 1J26.
Design-for-Test is becoming critical in ensuring the integrity of complex board performance and ensuring the maximum product lifecycle. Traditionally, DfT is a specific post-layout process that is addressed by tools such as FABMaster and Teradyne D2B. The CAD file is loaded and a mechanical analysis is performed in order to identify the physical access restrictions for In-Circuit or Flying probe test.
However, with the staggering board density we are now facing, DfT must be considered earlier and as part of the complete workflow, not just for probe placement. By verifying the testability at all stages we can ensure the highest level of test quality for the minimum test cost.
TestWay Express has been developed to meet this vision for a software tool that will allow users to analyze each stage of the design to delivery workflow within a single tool.
This is achieved by the following stages:
* The process starts at the Schematic design stage, verifying that optimum electrical DfT requirements and maximum test coverage is achieved.
* It will then optimize test probe placement according to test strategy definitions, estimate test coverage and cost modeling, calculate the production yield and TL9000 initial return rates.
* After PCB layout, TestWay Express will verify mechanical rules, allocate test probes and estimate test coverage based on the actual physical access.
* Finally, TestWay Express will generate the test programs, or input lists and test models, as well as test fixture files.
CAD importers supporting schematic netlist, layout, schematic graphics and design or test models are available for the wide range of EDA tools used within the industry today. This is a key differentiator from other commercial DfT tools that work only from the layout stage, which is often too late in the design process to be of use. TestWay Express operates directly from native CAD formats, ensuring the full interoperability between all stages across the design-manufacturing flow.
In the past, test engineers had to use multiple software tools to verify that a board had been designed with adequate testability. Once the test points had been validated it was still necessary to develop the ICT or flying probe test program files, which required another process stage.
With TestWay Express, all these stages are managed within a single tool using an integrated methodology. Coverage importers are available for a wide range of the test/inspection machines used within the industry.
These include Acculogic (BS, Scorpion, SPRINT); Aeroflex (4200, 5800); Agilent Technologies (i1000, i3070, 5DX, SJ10, SJ50); ASSET; CHECKSUM; CORELIS; Cyberoptics, DrEschke; Europlacer; GOEPEL (CASCON, OPTICON); JTAG Technologies; Mirtec; MYDATA, OMRON; Orbotech; SAKI; SEICA; SPEA (3030, 4040); TAKAYA (APT8000, APT9000); Teradyne (Z1800, Spectrum, GR228x, TS124); TRI (TR7500, TR8001); VI Technology; VISCOM; XJTAG and YESTech.
Design-for-Test is becoming critical in ensuring the integrity of complex board performance and ensuring the maximum product lifecycle. Traditionally, DfT is a specific post-layout process that is addressed by tools such as FABMaster and Teradyne D2B. The CAD file is loaded and a mechanical analysis is performed in order to identify the physical access restrictions for In-Circuit or Flying probe test.
However, with the staggering board density we are now facing, DfT must be considered earlier and as part of the complete workflow, not just for probe placement. By verifying the testability at all stages we can ensure the highest level of test quality for the minimum test cost.
TestWay Express has been developed to meet this vision for a software tool that will allow users to analyze each stage of the design to delivery workflow within a single tool.
This is achieved by the following stages:
* The process starts at the Schematic design stage, verifying that optimum electrical DfT requirements and maximum test coverage is achieved.
* It will then optimize test probe placement according to test strategy definitions, estimate test coverage and cost modeling, calculate the production yield and TL9000 initial return rates.
* After PCB layout, TestWay Express will verify mechanical rules, allocate test probes and estimate test coverage based on the actual physical access.
* Finally, TestWay Express will generate the test programs, or input lists and test models, as well as test fixture files.
CAD importers supporting schematic netlist, layout, schematic graphics and design or test models are available for the wide range of EDA tools used within the industry today. This is a key differentiator from other commercial DfT tools that work only from the layout stage, which is often too late in the design process to be of use. TestWay Express operates directly from native CAD formats, ensuring the full interoperability between all stages across the design-manufacturing flow.
In the past, test engineers had to use multiple software tools to verify that a board had been designed with adequate testability. Once the test points had been validated it was still necessary to develop the ICT or flying probe test program files, which required another process stage.
With TestWay Express, all these stages are managed within a single tool using an integrated methodology. Coverage importers are available for a wide range of the test/inspection machines used within the industry.
These include Acculogic (BS, Scorpion, SPRINT); Aeroflex (4200, 5800); Agilent Technologies (i1000, i3070, 5DX, SJ10, SJ50); ASSET; CHECKSUM; CORELIS; Cyberoptics, DrEschke; Europlacer; GOEPEL (CASCON, OPTICON); JTAG Technologies; Mirtec; MYDATA, OMRON; Orbotech; SAKI; SEICA; SPEA (3030, 4040); TAKAYA (APT8000, APT9000); Teradyne (Z1800, Spectrum, GR228x, TS124); TRI (TR7500, TR8001); VI Technology; VISCOM; XJTAG and YESTech.
HDD industry will return to growth after difficult 2011
FRAMINGHAM, USA: In the wake of two massive and tragic natural disasters, worldwide hard disk drive (HDD) unit shipments experienced a year-over-year decline of 4.5 percent in 2011. Although efforts to clean and repair flooded factory buildings and equipment will take most of the first half of 2012, HDD and HDD component production is expected to return to preflood output levels in the second half of this year.
According to a new forecast from International Data Corp. (IDC), the HDD industry will record year-over-year unit shipment growth of 7.7 percent in 2012 and a CAGR of 9.6 percent for the 2011-2016 forecast period.
Due to the imbalance in supply and demand that resulted from the Thailand floods, HDD prices have moved higher in recent months. HDD vendors are taking advantage of this opportunity to reset prices and recover some of the excessive price erosion that began in 2009. IDC expects year-over-year HDD revenue growth to exceed shipment growth in 2012, a precedent for the industry. Assuming the industry is successful with hybrid solid state hard drives (hybrid SSHDs), industry revenue could approach $50 billion by 2016 with a 2011-2016 CAGR of 8.6 percent.
"In many respects, the hard disk drive industry has collectively hit the 'reset' button," said John Rydning, research VP, Hard Disk Drives at IDC. "A reset of the HDD industry structure should allow for the remaining HDD industry participants to slowly reduce HDD prices from current levels at a rate that still delivers value to customers, while at the same time ensuring sufficient funding is available to develop new HDD technologies that are needed to improve HDD capacity, performance, reliability, power consumption, and security. Still, long-term revenue growth will only be realized if the remaining participants transform into storage device and storage solution suppliers with a broad range of products for a wide variety of markets."
One of the major themes affecting the HDD forecast is the shift in demand for HDDs in client devices. While PCs will continue to represent the largest market for HDDs in terms of unit shipments, revenue derived from HDDs shipped for PCs is projected to decline over the next five years. In contrast, HDD demand from personal storage, entry-level storage, and enterprise applications (combined) is increasing.
This reflects the broader trend to store more content in large datacenters and centralized storage devices in the home or in small businesses, thus making content accessible to a wide range of consumption platforms, including media tablets, smartphones, PCs, and other connected wireless devices. The longer-term implication is that enterprise storage – as opposed to storage in PCs and CE devices – will at some point become the major consumer of HDDs, as it was early in the life of the HDD market.
Another important theme is the intensifying battle with solid state drives (SSDs) in notebook PCs. While SSDs offer some performance advantages over conventional HDDs, SSD pricing continues to be an inhibitor to adoption in new PCs. Another way to achieve faster PC performance without incurring the full costs of SSD is to use a smaller amount of NAND somewhere in the PC system in combination with rotating magnetic disk storage. To win this battle, HDD vendors will need to convince PC manufacturers that hybrid SSHDs offer a more cost-effective solution to improve PC performance and responsiveness than other solutions.
According to a new forecast from International Data Corp. (IDC), the HDD industry will record year-over-year unit shipment growth of 7.7 percent in 2012 and a CAGR of 9.6 percent for the 2011-2016 forecast period.
Due to the imbalance in supply and demand that resulted from the Thailand floods, HDD prices have moved higher in recent months. HDD vendors are taking advantage of this opportunity to reset prices and recover some of the excessive price erosion that began in 2009. IDC expects year-over-year HDD revenue growth to exceed shipment growth in 2012, a precedent for the industry. Assuming the industry is successful with hybrid solid state hard drives (hybrid SSHDs), industry revenue could approach $50 billion by 2016 with a 2011-2016 CAGR of 8.6 percent.
"In many respects, the hard disk drive industry has collectively hit the 'reset' button," said John Rydning, research VP, Hard Disk Drives at IDC. "A reset of the HDD industry structure should allow for the remaining HDD industry participants to slowly reduce HDD prices from current levels at a rate that still delivers value to customers, while at the same time ensuring sufficient funding is available to develop new HDD technologies that are needed to improve HDD capacity, performance, reliability, power consumption, and security. Still, long-term revenue growth will only be realized if the remaining participants transform into storage device and storage solution suppliers with a broad range of products for a wide variety of markets."
One of the major themes affecting the HDD forecast is the shift in demand for HDDs in client devices. While PCs will continue to represent the largest market for HDDs in terms of unit shipments, revenue derived from HDDs shipped for PCs is projected to decline over the next five years. In contrast, HDD demand from personal storage, entry-level storage, and enterprise applications (combined) is increasing.
This reflects the broader trend to store more content in large datacenters and centralized storage devices in the home or in small businesses, thus making content accessible to a wide range of consumption platforms, including media tablets, smartphones, PCs, and other connected wireless devices. The longer-term implication is that enterprise storage – as opposed to storage in PCs and CE devices – will at some point become the major consumer of HDDs, as it was early in the life of the HDD market.
Another important theme is the intensifying battle with solid state drives (SSDs) in notebook PCs. While SSDs offer some performance advantages over conventional HDDs, SSD pricing continues to be an inhibitor to adoption in new PCs. Another way to achieve faster PC performance without incurring the full costs of SSD is to use a smaller amount of NAND somewhere in the PC system in combination with rotating magnetic disk storage. To win this battle, HDD vendors will need to convince PC manufacturers that hybrid SSHDs offer a more cost-effective solution to improve PC performance and responsiveness than other solutions.
Advanced Photonix intros new terahertz product at NPE
ANN ARBOR, USA: Advanced Photonix Inc. is introducing a new terahertz product at the National Plastics Exposition (NPE) in Orlando, Florida. The new system, called T-Gauge, was developed for the industrial market to be used on the factory floor for quality and process control, including manufacturers of web processing and converting products.
The ability of terahertz energy to penetrate non-conducting materials combined with the system’s high speed data processing enables non-destructive inspection of web based products with feedback for continuous process adjustments. The T-Gauge is non-nuclear and provides sensitivity to both physical and chemical composition changes in products. It has the ability to measure single and multi-layer thickness, density, basis weight, and can detect subsurface defect and delamination which can be used to monitor process and product quality.
API is the first company to commercialize terahertz technology and deploy it to the factory floor through the use of its patented fiber-coupled sensors. This enabling technology gives manufacturers the flexibility to mount the sensors on a scanning frame without contacting or impeding the product, and to collect more information than previously possible to control the manufacturing process for tighter tolerances, resulting in cost savings and improved quality.
"We are excited to introduce the T-Gauge system. This technology is aimed at replacing nuclear gauges while improving quality control and saving material at our customers. Web processing and converting is one of many markets we are working with globally to take the terahertz technology to the factory floor. API, along with our value-added reseller channel, is driving hard to optimize our product offering to meet the needs of the industrial market," said Richard Kurtz, CEO of API.
The ability of terahertz energy to penetrate non-conducting materials combined with the system’s high speed data processing enables non-destructive inspection of web based products with feedback for continuous process adjustments. The T-Gauge is non-nuclear and provides sensitivity to both physical and chemical composition changes in products. It has the ability to measure single and multi-layer thickness, density, basis weight, and can detect subsurface defect and delamination which can be used to monitor process and product quality.
API is the first company to commercialize terahertz technology and deploy it to the factory floor through the use of its patented fiber-coupled sensors. This enabling technology gives manufacturers the flexibility to mount the sensors on a scanning frame without contacting or impeding the product, and to collect more information than previously possible to control the manufacturing process for tighter tolerances, resulting in cost savings and improved quality.
"We are excited to introduce the T-Gauge system. This technology is aimed at replacing nuclear gauges while improving quality control and saving material at our customers. Web processing and converting is one of many markets we are working with globally to take the terahertz technology to the factory floor. API, along with our value-added reseller channel, is driving hard to optimize our product offering to meet the needs of the industrial market," said Richard Kurtz, CEO of API.
Samsung Display is launched
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: Samsung Display Co. Ltd has been officially launched as a new corporation, spun off from Samsung Electronics. Samsung Display held its inauguration ceremony yesterday and will begin business operations in earnest after carrying out incorporation registration on April 3.
Donggun Park, executive VP and head of the former Samsung Electronics’ LCD Business was elected CEO of Samsung Display. The company, which recorded 22.7 trillion KRW (approximately US 20 billion dollars) in annual revenue in 2011 as Samsung Electronics’ LCD Business, became the world’s largest display manufacturer overnight, based on its 20,000 employees and five production facilities worldwide.
Park said at the inauguration ceremony: “We will make Samsung Display a well-respected company through continuous efforts to supply a wide variety of customized products that provide great value to our customers. By continually staying one step ahead of our competitors, we can make our company the very best in the display market.”
More than 350 employees attended the inauguration ceremony. At the inauguration, many reflected on the success of Samsung Electronics’ LCD Business over the past 21 years and expressed a widespread determination to once again become ‘The No. 1 Global Display Manufacturer’.
Samsung Display began as an R&D arm of Samsung Electronics in 1991 and has developed and released some of the world’s most creative and innovative displays for two decades. Now, as a separate corporation, it will respond to rapidly changing market conditions more efficiently, while providing timely, well-differentiated products and services this year and well into the future.
Donggun Park, executive VP and head of the former Samsung Electronics’ LCD Business was elected CEO of Samsung Display. The company, which recorded 22.7 trillion KRW (approximately US 20 billion dollars) in annual revenue in 2011 as Samsung Electronics’ LCD Business, became the world’s largest display manufacturer overnight, based on its 20,000 employees and five production facilities worldwide.
Park said at the inauguration ceremony: “We will make Samsung Display a well-respected company through continuous efforts to supply a wide variety of customized products that provide great value to our customers. By continually staying one step ahead of our competitors, we can make our company the very best in the display market.”
More than 350 employees attended the inauguration ceremony. At the inauguration, many reflected on the success of Samsung Electronics’ LCD Business over the past 21 years and expressed a widespread determination to once again become ‘The No. 1 Global Display Manufacturer’.
Samsung Display began as an R&D arm of Samsung Electronics in 1991 and has developed and released some of the world’s most creative and innovative displays for two decades. Now, as a separate corporation, it will respond to rapidly changing market conditions more efficiently, while providing timely, well-differentiated products and services this year and well into the future.
Mahindra announces two JVs at DefExpo 2012
NEW DELHI, INDIA: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., one of India's leading business houses, announced two joint ventures at the DefExpo 2012 held in Delhi.
MoU with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems
The company's MoU with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd., a manufacturer of high tech defence systems for air, land, sea and space applications, will lead to the formation of a Joint Venture Company in India. The JV will develop and manufacture products such as Anti Torpedo Defence Systems, Electronic Warfare Systems, Advanced Armouring Solutions and remotely operated weapon stations for Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV).
Simultaneously, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has been approached for the creation of a 74:26 company. Rafael will make investments in Mahindra's existing Naval Systems division in Pune which will also be the location of a production facility which will be set up to meet the long-term requirements of the JV company.
Anand Mahindra, vice chairman and MD, Mahindra & Mahindra, said: "Our joint venture with Rafael signals our strategic entry into a wide range of high tech-defence solutions which will enable the Mahindra Group to become a leading defence systems integrator in India."
Brig. (Retd) KA Hai, chief executive, Mahindra Defence Systems, said: "This JV will enable Mahindra Defence Systems to further leverage its innovative solutions in the maritime domain, enhance its product offerings, and present it with new avenues for growth. We intend to further expand into air, land, and aerospace defence solutions."
Maj. Gen. (Retd) Ilan Biran, chairman, Rafael, said: "As part of our global strategy, we form alliances to develop military applications based on our proprietary technologies and in Mahindra we see a lot of synergy and opportunities for growth in new markets and especially in India which is a strategic market for us."
Vice admiral (Retd), Yadida Yaari, CEO, Rafael, said: "We see Mahindra as an ideal partner for expanding our business opportunities in India in sea, land and air domains. We have supported and will continue to support the Indian Ministry of Defence in gaining technological superiority and excellence.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems designs, develops, manufactures and supplies a wide range of high tech defense systems for air, land, sea and space applications. Rafael was established as part of the Israeli Ministry of Defense more than 60 years ago. Rafael's technology is embedded in almost all Israel Defense Forces (IDF) systems in operation today. The company has a special relationship with the IDF, developing products according to the soldiers' specific requirements in the field. Rafael is a steadily growing company with sales of $1.8 billion in 2011.
JV with Telephonics
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Telephonics Corp., a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of high-technology integrated information, communication and sensor system solutions to military and commercial markets worldwide and a subsidiary of Griffon Corp., also announced the impending formation of a JVC, which will provide the Indian Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Indian Civil sector with radar and surveillance systems, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) devices and communication systems. In addition, the JV intends to provide systems for Air Traffic Management services, Homeland Security and other emerging surveillance requirements.
The project envisages establishing a plant in India which would manufacture and service airborne radar systems that are already being supplied to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and support airborne maritime surveillance systems for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. The JV will license technology from Telephonics for use on a wide range of products that have both defence and civil applications.
Subsequent to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2011, the companies have been in the process of negotiating definitive agreements and approval has been sought from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board of the Government of India (GoI) for the establishment of the JV in accordance with the current defence sector Foreign Direct Investment regulations of the GOI. The approval for this is expected soon.
Backed by strong R&D, Telephonics has developed a state-of-the-art three channel IFF MK-XII system which has the capability to integrate with civil/military aircraft and ground or sea based IFF systems. Telephonics' experience with respect to these systems in other countries will provide a platform for the JV to meet the emerging Indian customised civil/military requirements of a National IFF Program. Telephonics has also developed secure communication systems which may be deployed on a variety of ground and airborne systems.
The Mobile Surveillance System (MSS) and Advanced Radar Surveillance System (ARSS) are rapid deployment ground surveillance systems which can detect human and vehicular movement both in the day and the night. Through networking, a central command and control system can effectively watch a large area for vehicular and human movement. Nearly 4000 of these systems are already being used by 10 countries for their homeland security applications.
The JV will be the first in India to manufacture air borne and maritime radars utilizing licensed technology. Nearly 100 per cent indigenous capability is expected to be achieved in the near future. The JV will also be strategically poised to develop future technologies for civil and military applications.
Telephonics has an established presence in the Indian defence and civil markets. For example, Telephonics supplies RDR-1400 weather avoidance radar systems for helicopters being built in Bangalore, India. It is also contracted to supply Boeing with APS - 143C (V) 3 Multi-Mode Radars (MMR) for India's P-8i Maritime Surveillance aircraft, and is responsible for installation of a sophisticated intercommunication system for the C-17 Globemaster contracted for by the Indian Air Force.
Telephonics specializes in aircraft intercommunication systems, wireless communication systems, radars, identification friend or foe products, integrated security systems, air traffic management systems, aerospace electronics and threat analysis and management. Telephonics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Griffon headquartered in New York, N.Y. Griffon is a diversified management and holding company that conducts business through wholly-owned subsidiaries.
MoU with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems
The company's MoU with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd., a manufacturer of high tech defence systems for air, land, sea and space applications, will lead to the formation of a Joint Venture Company in India. The JV will develop and manufacture products such as Anti Torpedo Defence Systems, Electronic Warfare Systems, Advanced Armouring Solutions and remotely operated weapon stations for Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV).
Simultaneously, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has been approached for the creation of a 74:26 company. Rafael will make investments in Mahindra's existing Naval Systems division in Pune which will also be the location of a production facility which will be set up to meet the long-term requirements of the JV company.
Anand Mahindra, vice chairman and MD, Mahindra & Mahindra, said: "Our joint venture with Rafael signals our strategic entry into a wide range of high tech-defence solutions which will enable the Mahindra Group to become a leading defence systems integrator in India."
Brig. (Retd) KA Hai, chief executive, Mahindra Defence Systems, said: "This JV will enable Mahindra Defence Systems to further leverage its innovative solutions in the maritime domain, enhance its product offerings, and present it with new avenues for growth. We intend to further expand into air, land, and aerospace defence solutions."
Maj. Gen. (Retd) Ilan Biran, chairman, Rafael, said: "As part of our global strategy, we form alliances to develop military applications based on our proprietary technologies and in Mahindra we see a lot of synergy and opportunities for growth in new markets and especially in India which is a strategic market for us."
Vice admiral (Retd), Yadida Yaari, CEO, Rafael, said: "We see Mahindra as an ideal partner for expanding our business opportunities in India in sea, land and air domains. We have supported and will continue to support the Indian Ministry of Defence in gaining technological superiority and excellence.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems designs, develops, manufactures and supplies a wide range of high tech defense systems for air, land, sea and space applications. Rafael was established as part of the Israeli Ministry of Defense more than 60 years ago. Rafael's technology is embedded in almost all Israel Defense Forces (IDF) systems in operation today. The company has a special relationship with the IDF, developing products according to the soldiers' specific requirements in the field. Rafael is a steadily growing company with sales of $1.8 billion in 2011.
JV with Telephonics
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Telephonics Corp., a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of high-technology integrated information, communication and sensor system solutions to military and commercial markets worldwide and a subsidiary of Griffon Corp., also announced the impending formation of a JVC, which will provide the Indian Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Indian Civil sector with radar and surveillance systems, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) devices and communication systems. In addition, the JV intends to provide systems for Air Traffic Management services, Homeland Security and other emerging surveillance requirements.
The project envisages establishing a plant in India which would manufacture and service airborne radar systems that are already being supplied to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and support airborne maritime surveillance systems for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. The JV will license technology from Telephonics for use on a wide range of products that have both defence and civil applications.
Subsequent to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2011, the companies have been in the process of negotiating definitive agreements and approval has been sought from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board of the Government of India (GoI) for the establishment of the JV in accordance with the current defence sector Foreign Direct Investment regulations of the GOI. The approval for this is expected soon.
Backed by strong R&D, Telephonics has developed a state-of-the-art three channel IFF MK-XII system which has the capability to integrate with civil/military aircraft and ground or sea based IFF systems. Telephonics' experience with respect to these systems in other countries will provide a platform for the JV to meet the emerging Indian customised civil/military requirements of a National IFF Program. Telephonics has also developed secure communication systems which may be deployed on a variety of ground and airborne systems.
The Mobile Surveillance System (MSS) and Advanced Radar Surveillance System (ARSS) are rapid deployment ground surveillance systems which can detect human and vehicular movement both in the day and the night. Through networking, a central command and control system can effectively watch a large area for vehicular and human movement. Nearly 4000 of these systems are already being used by 10 countries for their homeland security applications.
The JV will be the first in India to manufacture air borne and maritime radars utilizing licensed technology. Nearly 100 per cent indigenous capability is expected to be achieved in the near future. The JV will also be strategically poised to develop future technologies for civil and military applications.
Telephonics has an established presence in the Indian defence and civil markets. For example, Telephonics supplies RDR-1400 weather avoidance radar systems for helicopters being built in Bangalore, India. It is also contracted to supply Boeing with APS - 143C (V) 3 Multi-Mode Radars (MMR) for India's P-8i Maritime Surveillance aircraft, and is responsible for installation of a sophisticated intercommunication system for the C-17 Globemaster contracted for by the Indian Air Force.
Telephonics specializes in aircraft intercommunication systems, wireless communication systems, radars, identification friend or foe products, integrated security systems, air traffic management systems, aerospace electronics and threat analysis and management. Telephonics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Griffon headquartered in New York, N.Y. Griffon is a diversified management and holding company that conducts business through wholly-owned subsidiaries.
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