Optical Alchemy, Inc.’s Ultra-Light, High Performance Stabilized Sensor Systems Vastly Expand Persistence, Mission Capabilities for Unmanned Vehicles.

Company also Appoints Retired Executive Director of the Columbia Space Shuttle Accident Investigation, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. John L. Barry, to Firm’s Board of Directors.

Maynard, MA, U.S.A. – August 24, 2005 – Optical Alchemy, Inc., the leading developer and manufacturer of ultra-light, stabilized sensor systems for unmanned vehicles, today announced the appointment of U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. John L. Barry (Ret.) to its Board of Directors. Barry will provide strategic, operational and technical guidance to Optical Alchemy’s seasoned management and scientific team, based on his significant business, operating management and technology expertise he gained as a Major General in the United States Air Force and at his current position where he serves as Vice President, SAP for Defense & Security (NYSE: SAP).

“I am pleased to join Optical Alchemy’s highly motivated team and provide them with insight that will help the firm penetrate new growth areas, gain new partners, customers, accelerate revenues and increase profitability,” said John L. Barry, VP, SAP for Defense & Security. “The Department of Defense (DoD) wants light, affordable UAVs that can carry the same sensor capabilities as large UAVs. Optical Alchemy’s sensor technology is the best positioned company on the market that can deliver on the DoD’s demand for such capabilities, as the company has a sensor payload that enables UAVs to perform missions at a new level of persistence at a price the DoD can afford,” Barry concluded.

Optical Alchemy will leverage the management team’s successful track record in reconnaissance, missile seeker, camera and high definition video design to address the unmet needs of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) market. Optical Alchemy’s sensor systems will provide applications for reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition (RSTA), situational awareness and force protection. The company’s ultra-light stabilized sensor systems will create a new level of persistence, enabling UAVs to dramatically expand mission ranges, save fuel, remain in the air for longer periods of time to patrol vast areas, fill gaps in the Tactical Air Picture and carry additional sensors and ordinance. The company’s technology can also provide substantial support to intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB), situation development, battle management and battle damage assessment thereby increasing battlefield readiness and mobility.

“Barry’s wealth of strategic insight will focus and accelerate Optical Alchemy’s business,” said Marc Daigle, President, Optical Alchemy, Inc. “Barry has a profound knowledge of the issues that need to be addressed in the markets we will enter, as we become the leading global provider of ultra-light, stabilized sensor systems for unmanned air, ground and sea vehicles in a variety of sizes. Barry’s credibility in the market, combined with his expertise, will be indispensable as our business expands into these markets,” Daigle added.

Initially a fighter pilot with test and evaluation experience and with over 270 hours of combat flight time, Barry accumulated over 30 years of invaluable strategic and tactical experience with the U.S. Air Force that will impact Optical Alchemy’s business. Barry held a variety of senior and command-level positions, serving as Executive Director of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) and as: Commander, 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Commander, 56th Operations Group, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., and 4404th Operations Group, Dhahran Air Base, Saudi Arabia; Commander, 39th Wing and 7440th Composite Wing (Provisional), Incirlik Air Base, Turkey; Director of Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany; Commander, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.; Director of Strategic Planning, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.; Director, Plans and Programs, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; and as the military assistant to the Secretary of Defense during Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and during the dissolution of the Soviet Union.


About Optical Alchemy, Inc.
Optical Alchemy, Inc. is a developer and manufacturer of ultra-lightweight, high performance stabilized sensor systems for unmanned vehicles. The company’s products will create a new level of persistence, enabling UAVs to dramatically expand mission ranges, save fuel, remain in the air for longer periods of time to patrol vast areas and carry additional sensors and ordinance.
The company’s small, ultra-light high performance stabilized sensor systems offer the payload flexibility, inertial stabilization and high pointing accuracy required for sense and respond missions. Optical Alchemy’s system provides configurable payloads including high resolution IR and visible sensors, laser range finder (LRF), laser marker, laser designator or a user-defined custom sensor suite. Onboard IMU, GPS, digital compass and the inertial control system provide accurate latitude/longitude/elevation pointing and, combined with the LRF, target mapping. For more information, visit http://www.uavpayloads.com or contact Joe Romano, Partner, HighGround, Inc. at 781-279-1320 x 208 or jromano@highgroundinc.com

# # #