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Arotech Receives Additional
Research Funding Of $650,000 From U.S. Army
Program to develop high energy
density batteries aimed towards Future Force Warrior program
April
6, 2005 - Arotech Corporation (NasdaqNM: ARTX) announced today
that its Battery and Power Systems division has received additional
funding from the U.S. Army’s Communications and Electronics
Command, CECOM, for further development of its 4th generation (Gen4)
zinc-air cells.
The funding covers Phase II of a three-phased
research and development program for Gen4 Zinc-Air Cells aimed at
the Future Force Warrior project – the US Army’s flagship
Science and Technology initiative to develop and demonstrate revolutionary
capabilities for Future Force soldier systems. Arotech’s Gen4
portable battery pack is 12 or 24 Volts and has a total capacity
exceeding 400Wh with Battery Energy Density above 300Wh/kg. The
second phase of the program will focus on the development of a pilot
production capability.
Arotech’s zinc-air technology outperforms
competing technologies in energy density. The zinc-air batteries
are considerably safer in combat situations, lighter for extended
missions, more economical and more environmentally friendly than
lithium batteries.
“Since the launch of our Gen4 technology,
we have received multiple development contracts for our new generation
zinc-air cells. The additional funding from CECOM, together with
endorsements by other major customers in the U.S and in Israel,
demonstrates the significance of this technology,” said Robert
S. Ehrlich, Chairman, President and CEO of Arotech. “We look
forward to supplying the most advanced zinc-air batteries to extend
mission times and enhance the capabilities of our armed forces.”
Arotech’s Battery and Power Systems
Division is a leading provider of zinc-air and lithium
batteries and chargers for defense and security products and other
military applications. Arotech develops and produces high power
zinc-air batteries and is believed to be the sole supplier of this
technology to the US military. In addition, Arotech develops high-end
primary and secondary batteries and associated chargers and has
vast experience in working with government agencies, the military
and large corporations. The division also pioneers advancements
in zinc-air technology for electric vehicles.
The Battery and Power Systems Division consists
of Electric Fuel Battery Corporation, Electric Fuel Ltd., and Epsilor
Electronic Industries Ltd.
About Arotech Corporation
Arotech Corporation is a leading
provider of quality defense and security products for the military,
law enforcement and homeland security markets, including multimedia
interactive simulators/trainers, lightweight armoring and advanced
zinc-air and lithium batteries and chargers. Arotech operates through
three major business divisions: Armor, Simulation and Security and
Battery and Power Systems.
Arotech is incorporated in Delaware,
with corporate offices in Auburn, Alabama, and research, development
and production subsidiaries in Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, California
and Israel.
Except for the historical information
herein, the matters discussed in this news release include forward-looking
statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, as they are subject to various
risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary significantly.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks
relating to: product and technology development; the uncertainty
of the market for Arotech’s products; changing economic conditions;
delay, cancellation or non-renewal, in whole or in part, of contracts
or of purchase orders; and other risk factors detailed in Arotech’s
most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Arotech assumes no obligation to update the information
in this release. Reference to the Company’s website above
does not constitute incorporation of any of the information thereon
into this press release.
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