Taking Defense Technology From the Lab to the War Zone

Bilbray Shows Support For Advancing New Products Made Locally

When viable new defense technologies are created, the question arises of how to get the devices into the hands of the military.

The Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technology, a public-private partnership in San Diego that advances new technologies in the marketplace, showcased six defense-related companies during an Oct. 11 presentation to U.S. Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Escondido, at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

The companies were either in Bilbray’s district or have products that can be used for defense and homeland security functions.

CCAT provides local startups and other companies nationwide with market research and grants up to $75,000 each for prototype development.

When CCAT started in 2001, Bilbray was an original supporter.

But the process of getting advanced technologies into the hands of those men and women defending the country is a long and tedious process for some companies.

The two-employee company received $500,000 in grants from CCAT in 2001. The grants helped the company develop a prototype telescopic lens and to create a marketable product.

Pixon Imaging develops technology to improve vision through a telescopic lens by reducing blurriness oftenexperienced when attempting to view objects at far distances.

The technology is “as clear and sharp as if it (the object being viewed) was two miles away and you were looking at it as though it were only one mile away,” Puetter said.

Tapping Government’s Shoulder

Puetter said the firm is still having difficulty with the government and with getting early-stage projects presented to decision-makers.

“We are trying to get our visionary product into General Atomic’s Predator, it would make the company’s product so much better,” Puetter said.

San Diego-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. makes the Predator, an unmanned aircraft surveillance system used in places like Iraq.

For companies like Pixon Imaging, it’s all about timing.

“A company may not be suitable for a specific industry from a business or marketing perspective,” said Barry Janov, CCAT director of sponsored research project management.

Janov was not familiar with Pixon Imaging and its current business status but said there are some companies like this.

For a company to be suitable, Janov listed three criteria.

The company has to be sound and proven to work, address a market need, and from a business perspective, be mass-produced cost-effectively.

“In some cases we might absolutely suggest (to our client) that their technology won’t make it,” Janov said. “It’s important to do, and it’s a tough job, but it saves them from investing all their technology and money, and in the end realizing it doesn’t work.”

Puetter is also a research physicist for the Center of Astrophysics Space and Science at the University of California, San Diego and was responsible for creating one of the first infrared instruments for the two Keck telescopes on Hawaii’s big island.

The two telescopes are the world’s largest.

Puetter says he is sticking with his device because he believes in its ability to improve the military’s vision capabilities in the field.

CCAT arranged Pixon’s presentation to Bilbray, but Puetter said he is hopeful Bilbray could make an effective change.

“He could work his magic if he wants to,” Puetter said.

At the presentation Bilbray said, “Part of being an elected official at this level is to bridge the gap between reality and practical application and bureaucracy and theory. Bureaucracy by its nature is not real responsive to innovation or reality.”

The congressman perseveres, saying he’s been dealing with bureaucracy for more than 20 years.

“I can pour on the heat and just keep pressuring and pressuring these guys in Washington,” said Bilbray firmly.

Producing For Defense

Mike Elconin, who joined CCAT earlier this year, said his organization was formed in response to the government’s need to help companies secure funding for research and development for defense and homeland security.

“Traditionally, the federal government has a poor track record of converting research and development into useful projects,” Elconin said.

Richard Puetter, chief executive officer of San Diego-based Pixon Imaging presenting at the CCAT forum this month, said that financially, “it is barely hanging on” and is feeling the strain because it isn’t breaking into its target market — military defense.

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