ITT 101: Profile of AES
Turning novel ideas into practical - as well as tactical - solutions.
In the past few years, the U.S. and many other countries around the world have faced an unprecedented level of threat from hostile nations that may have the ability to deliver destruction with ballistic missiles or chemical and biological agents.
But whether the threat starts high in the air or close to the ground, Advanced Engineering & Sciences (AES) forms a strong link in the chain of defense against such attacks.
Part of ITT's Defense Electronics & Services, AES provides agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Defense and NASA with a wide range of research, technologies, and engineering support services to help the government improve homeland defense.
AES consists of four components.
Research and Technology Services provides expertise in fields such as computer security, high-performance computing and electronic warfare research.
Applied Engineering Technologies develops special purpose and quick-reaction equipment and provides vulnerability assessment services for classified government customers.
Communication, Intelligence and Information Systems is designing the next generation Air Traffic Controls System for the FAA, manages the communication spectra for NASA, and designs and builds special equipment for classified customers.
Integrated Technology Solutions specializes in ballistic missile defense systems, including targets, countermeasures, flight diagnostics and telemetry systems, as well as nuclear, biological and chemical defense.
Successful Synergism
AES was formed when ITT Industries acquired Stanford Telecommunications in 1999. Stanford's high-tech businesses were then combined with the high-tech portion of Kaman Sciences, which was acquired in 1997. In 2000 AES acquired Aerotherm Corporation to strengthen its ability to provide high-fidelity test targets for Ballistic Missile Defense.
In their first year the combined companies were expected to report sales of more than $140 million, with growth projected to continue at a double-digit rate. They didn't disappoint, and by 2003 sales had reached the $245 million level, with no end to this stellar growth expected for the foreseeable future.
AES originally had about 800 employees and now has more than 1,300 employees who work from 27 locations around the U.S. With disciplines in fields of advanced engineering and sciences, more than 50 percent of AES employees have advanced degrees, including 163 with PhDs.
Technology Development is Key
Considering its strong ties to the nation's defense systems, one might think that AES would be greatly impacted by the military activity in Afghanistan, Iraq and other parts of the world. That's not necessarily so.
"The situation in Iraq has affected us somewhat, but not dramatically," says Chuck Eklund, Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer. "We continue to grow in our core R&D areas. In addition, we are working to put some of our technologies in the hands of the soldiers in order to solve their pressing needs."
This focus on Research and Development is one of the reasons AES was able to help the U.S. military "hit a bullet with a bullet" during a ballistic missile defense test over the Pacific Ocean. The target was outfitted with an AES-developed Photonic Hit Indicator System that transmitted information before being destroyed just microseconds after impact. AES is the leading expert in the collection of such high-speed data, which is evaluated to determine the progression of damage to the target immediately after it's been hit.
Back on earth, AES is developing and building new technologies for sensing, monitoring and mapping chemical and biological contamination. Its LISA, or "Laser Interrogation of Surface Agents" system uses a laser sensor to detect chemical agents on surfaces. It can be deployed from a safe, "standoff" distance and eliminates the need to physically touch the agent, thereby providing an extra measure of safety for technicians.
Such standoff technology is being developed to detect biological agents as well, an effort complicated by the fact that it's tough to differentiate biological weapons from naturally occurring background materials. But at AES one success usually leads to another, and it's simply a matter of time until a sensor is developed that can detect both chemical and biological agents in a wide variety of situations.
Chuck Eklund, senior vice president and chief technical officer of AES, and the company's LISA system, which uses a laser sensor to detect chemical agents on surfaces.
Another Key Contract for AES
In March, AES was awarded a contract to provide telecommunications engineering support to the FAA. The maximum contract value is $206 million. Under the 7-year contract, AES' Communications, Intelligence and Information Systems, which is also designing the next generation Air Traffic Controls System for the FAA, will support the FAA in the engineering and management of its telecommunications networks.