Argus Optics Division Doing Navy Work

Three Subcontracts Contracts Involved:

Argus Optics Division Doing NavyWork

The local Argus Optics Divi-
sion is subcontractor cum-
ponents for a lead computing
optical aircraft sight, an ad-
vanced copy camera for the
U. S. Navy and an aerial recon-
naissance viewfinder.

James W. Thompson, divi-
sional general manager, an-i
nounced the new contract
awards from the Chicago Aerial
Industries, Inc.

It was understood that work
on the "hardware" is of a high-
ly technical nature, involving
specialty group production.

The total amount of the three
subcontracts was not an-
nounced, but it was understood
that -nitial work comes to at
least 100.000 and that follow-on
ordei'i could swell that figure
to $50i),000 or more.

Additional help is not re-
quired to fulfill the initial sub-
contract work.

Thompson said that initial de-
liveries have been made on all
three systems.

The optical sight is used in a
Navy attack bomber, the Grum-
man A-6A in which the copy
camera was said by Thompson
1,0 be an "important link" for
reduction, storage and retriev-
al of photographic data. The
camera automates portions of
Ac now tedious tack of com-
paring sequential surveillance
photographs, according to
Thompson.

The optical viewtind is for
newer high-speed a i r c r ar-
"win ' 'et acquisition, iden
tific .i photography makt
; ;y an advanced findei

The three contracts are the
latest in a series of military or-
ders received by Argus Optics,
and they have helped the loca;

division "to substantially im-
"ove its position in the defense

business," Thompson said.

He announced the division's
defense work this past year
came to more than S3,500,000.

Thompson also announced a
general build-up of the division,
which now employs 225 persons.

"The division has substantial-
ly increased its manufacture of
optical components with com-
mercial and industrial applica-
tions. At presen' 'tc optical)
components are ed iiu
office photocopier,. „:.outers,]
photo typesetters: microfilm |
readers and teaching machines
as well as in cameras and pro-
jectors."