UK MOD places million pound order for Argus thermal imaging cameras

e2v, manufacturer of Argus thermal imaging cameras, today announced its’ winning bid to supply the UK Royal Navy with its hugely successful Argus4 thermal imaging cameras.

The occasion was marked by a visit from the MOD to e2v’s UK Head Offices in Chelmsford Essex and a handover of the first camera in the order worth £1.1 million.

Gordon MacSween, e2v’s divisional director for RF & Sensors commented “We are delighted to welcome the MOD to e2v and thrilled that, after a careful assessment of cameras available on the global market today, the MOD has chosen to equip the UK Navy with e2v’s Argus4 thermal imaging cameras”, adding “e2v was the very first to supply the Royal Navy with thermal imaging cameras, back in the 1980’s. I’m confident that, thanks to the Argus camera’s leading technology, and extreme reliability this will be the first of many wins to supply Argus cameras to naval fleets and marine industries around the world”.

Argus4 thermal imaging cameras are suitable for multiple applications. In firefighting situations in ships, buildings and planes, they save vital seconds in scene assessment, quickly locating both the source of any fire and any casualties.

In addition to their continued service with the UK Navy, Argus thermal imaging cameras are also in service with the Swedish, Australian, Indian and Pakistan navies, the US Coastguard and thousands of fire departments all over the world.

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Press contact:

Mike Tarbard, 01245 453255 michael.tarbard@e2v.com

NOTES FOR EDITORS

About Argus cameras

Argus cameras are designed to the highest specifications to instill confidence in emergency services personnel that they are using the best thermal technology available to them. Argus cameras enable firefighters to see through smoke, identify and rescue casualties and locate hot spots or the seat and spread of a fire. They aid police and security forces to apprehend criminals, gather evidence saving lives and property in the process. Argus cameras have many further applications where temperatures require monitoring such as preventative maintenance and condition monitoring of equipment. They can also provide vision where light is unavailable.

Argus4 thermal imaging cameras are extremely light, weighing less than 3lbs (1.3kg). They come packed with the most advanced features available on the market today. Argus4 cameras  are equipped with up to x4 zoom, 13 colour settings and a picture capture facility, capable of taking up to 100 pictures, which can then be stored and downloaded to a PC/Laptop through a USB cable for quick transfer. The Argus4 HR32O has been designed using advanced digital imaging technology for a sharper picture and provides superior performance.

e2v technologies plc

e2v technologies is a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of specialised components and subsystems, falling within two product groups:

•    Electronic tubes
•    Sensors and Semiconductors

These products enable some of the world’s leading OEMs to deliver innovative systems for medical and science, aerospace and defence, and commercial and industrial applications.

For the year ended 31 March 2007, e2v achieved sales of £174m and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (e2v.l).  In July 2006 e2v technologies plc acquired a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of specialised electronic components and sub-systems, based in Grenoble, France and in May of 2007 e2v plc acquired MiCS Microchemical Systems SA a designer and manufacturer of semiconductor based gas sensors.  These acquisitions strengthen the Group’s position as a major global provider of specialised electronic components and subsystems.

e2v’s products are supplied into three core market areas:

•    Medical & Science: Sensor technology includes imaging sensors for intra-oral and panoramic dental X-ray, mammography, life science applications and X-ray microscopy. Electronic tubes are the enabling technology behind radiotherapy cancer treatments, microwave medical therapy and high-energy physics.
•    Aerospace & Defence: Sensor technology includes products for military surveillance, targeting and guidance, space-based imaging and astronomy, radar, electronic warfare, and broadband data converters and microprocessors for aerospace applications.  Electronic tubes provide the enabling technology behind radars, electronic countermeasures (ECM), electronic warfare and satellite communications.
•    Commercial & Industrial: Sensor technology includes marine radars, industrial safety sensors, automotive radars and alarms, thermal imaging cameras used by fire fighters, CCD and CMOS high resolution line scan cameras for industrial inspection. Electronic tubes provide enabling technology behind TV broadcast, satellite communications, marine radar and food & industrial processing.

The overall purpose of the business is to grow sustainable shareholder value whilst appropriately meeting the expectations of customers, people, partners, suppliers and the wider community.  e2v’s vision is to create value through bright ideas in technology and materials science. The Company’s mission is to place customers at the heart of the business, providing enabling products of premium quality that extend technical barriers and enhance the competitive position of our partners.

e2v has approximately 1,800 employees worldwide with three UK based manufacturing sites in Chelmsford, Lincoln and High Wycombe, one in Grenoble, France and one in Corcelles, Switzerland.  In addition e2v has sales offices in the UK, USA, Germany, France and Hong Kong, as well as a network of distributors and representatives covering other key territories.

Further information on e2v technologies plc is available from its website, www.e2v.com