ROTEM Industries Ltd. develops first ever Hyper-hemispherical sapphire dome

MISHOR YAMIN, Israel, April 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Crystals Division of Rotem Industries (Israel) has manufactured the first production series of Hyper-hemispherical (240 degrees or more) sapphire domes dedicated for DIRCM/CIRCM applications.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130426/612546)

The new developed Hyper-Hemispherical sapphire domes solve problem in current systems' design such as limited field of view, optical obstacles and huge drag. This development demonstrates how real terrorism threat led toward a rapid efficient development of the new Hyper Hemispherical Sapphire Domes that enables new capabilities that were not available before.  The threat is all those shoulder-fired missiles used by terrorists aiming to take down commercial aircrafts or helicopters mainly during landings or takeoffs.

The compelling event in entering this project was the decision of Israeli Ministry of Transportation to equip Israeli airlines with laser-based anti-missile systems. Elbit Systems was chosen as the main contractor, while Rotem Industries provides the sapphire hyper-hemispherical domes.

According to Benny Ballin, Head of the Crystals Division at Rotem: "This development enables design of new DIRCM/CIRCM and other optical systems with new high performance levels never seen before. There is no doubt that this technological breakthrough will arouse interest and widen new systems' boundary limitations for optical designers, allowing a whole new  approach for systems capabilities."

DIRCM (Directional Infrared Counter Measures) and CIRCM (Common Infrared Countermeasures ) are two United States Government and Army initiatives intended to develop systems to protect commercial aircraft and U.S. helicopters from infrared homing ("heat seeking") man-portable missiles.

Rotem will demonstrate this remarkable breakthrough in the upcoming SPIE Defense Security + Sensing exhibition in Baltimore USA between April 29 to May 3. Ballin will demonstrate the advantages of using sapphire, the threat of those shoulder-fired missiles used by terrorists, the problem and the limitations of current DIRCM/CIRCM designs and the solution of the new developed domes, during the Windows & Domes conference on May 1.

http://spie.org/app/search/browse?Ntt=dome+and+windows&Dy=1&Nty=1&Nrpp=20

With over 45 years of experience in manufacturing sapphire domes & windows for military optical applications, Rotem is a leading player in the optics field. The development process of this unique technology was highly complex and challenging, due to its dimensions and geometric characteristics.

For any other information please contact:  
Benny Ballin- Tel: +972 50 6294082, [email protected]  
Limor Banai, [email protected]

SOURCE ROTEM Industries Ltd.