Sequoia Wins Air Force Grant for Laser Communications Research

May 7, 2008 - Bellingham, WA

Sequoia Technologies, Inc. announced today that it was awarded a new Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase II contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Sensors Directorate at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton Ohio. The two year research project will develop and demonstrate a new concept for a miniaturized long-range free space optical communication systems for mobile platforms.

Sequoia's President & CEO, Dr. Keith Denoyer, stated, "Secure, high-bandwidth communication is a critical military need and also offers outstanding commercial potential. With the nation's top government labs and major aerospace contractors working heavily in this area, it's highly competitive. It's also very challenging technically. We're extremely pleased that the Air Force examined our Phase I progress and emerging capabilities and chose us for this larger scale research program."

Since its founding in 2003, Sequoia has been an active and highly successful participant in the SBIR program, which funds small companies to develop and commercialize new technology. As a result of prior SBIR investment, the company developed and now produces lightweight, high performance, and low cost stabilization systems for various applications, including high definition stabilized camera systems for broadcast and film. These systems are now setting the standard for "in the action" coverage of high profile events ranging from the 2008 Super Bowl to the Academy Awards.