Sep 16 2007
Optical Cable Corporation today announced that its ground tactical fiber optic cable has been fully qualified by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence ("MoD") -- a significant milestone in Optical Cable Corporation's continuing pursuit of excellence as a long-time supplier of rugged military fiber optic cable for the U.S., U.K. and other allied militaries.
The announcement came during Optical Cable Corporation's exhibition at the Defence Systems and Equipment International ("DSEi") defense tradeshow in London.
Optical Cable Corporation's ground tactical fiber optic cable has been fully qualified to meet all U.K. MoD military requirements. A government certified independent test laboratory subjected Optical Cable's military ground tactical fiber optic cable to a series of rigorous optical, environmental and mechanical tests as defined in Def-Stan 60-1, Part 3. The test results were reviewed by QinetiQ Batteries, Cables and Connectors at Sevenoaks, Kent, U.K.
QinetiQ validated that the Company's submitted military ground tactical fiber optic cable design complied with the U.K. MoD's stringent test requirements. As a result, the U.K. MoD has named Optical Cable Corporation as a qualified supplier of Def-Stan 60-1, Part 3 ground tactical fiber optic cable.
Optical Cable Corporation's new U.K. MoD qualification is in addition to a previously earned qualification by the U.S. Department of Defense. Optical Cable Corporation announced its ground tactical fiber optic cable was qualified to the U.S. Department of Defense's MIL-PRF-85045/8A standard for ground tactical fiber optic cable in August 2005-and Optical Cable Corporation is still the only fiber optic cable manufacturer fully qualified to this U.S. military standard.
The Company's manufacturing facility is also certified by the U.S. Department of Defense as a MIL-STD-790F facility. This facility certification is considered one of the most respected in the defense industry as it requires compliance with stringent government requirements for product design, documentation, process control, and management practices.
"Military ground tactical fiber optic cables are an essential part of military tactical communications systems, and those fiber optic cables need to survive some of the harshest of environments around," said Barney Dean, Optical Cable's Director of Military and Government Sales. "Our military- grade fiber optic cables are well known for their outstanding performance by U.S. and allied militaries, and our new Def Stan qualification offers the U.K. military access to a superior and fully qualified ground tactical fiber optic cable for their communications needs," said Mr. Dean.
"Optical Cable Corporation is a long-time supplier of military ground tactical fiber optic cable to the U.S. Department of Defense and certain allied militaries," said Neil Wilkin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Optical Cable Corporation. "Our announcement today further supports our belief that Optical Cable continues to be the premier source for the highest quality, most rugged and most reliable military ground tactical fiber optic cable available," said Mr. Wilkin.