MIDDLETOWN – KVH Industries Inc. (Nasdaq: KVHI) today announced a new $3.5 million order for the precision fiber-optic gyros (FOGs) it manufactures for use in remote stabilized weapon systems.

The order is expected to begin shipping in the first quarter of 2009.

No other details were disclosed. But in a statement two months ago, CEO Martin A. Kits van Heyningen cited “a delay in two fiber-optic gyro programs” – along with the “challenging economic conditions” – as having “contributed to a third quarter that did not meet our expectations.” (READ MORE) “The final qualification process for KVH’s fiber-optic gyros for use in remote weapon stations has taken longer than expected,” Kits van Heyningen said at the time, adding: “We now expect to be in full production of our RWS FOGs in the next few weeks following the anticipated successful completion of the qualification.”

Remote weapons stations (RWSs) improve weapons-crew safety and accuracy by allowing gunners to operate, aim and fire from inside their vehicles, the company says.

KVH’s DSP-3100 FOGs provide optical stabilization and recoil control to keep a vehicle-mounted weapon on target even when the vehicle is on the move. Their all-fiber design and patented digital signal processing (DSP) give the units “exceptional vibration, shock and acceleration survivability at an affordable cost,” KVH says.

By late July, the company had received $8 million in orders for the units from Norway-based Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace alone. (READ MORE)

KVH’s fiber-optic guidance and sensor systems are used in a variety of commercial and defense-related stabilization, navigation and guidance applications, from its DataScope digital compass and rangefinder through autonomous-vehicle technology. The company also is a maker of live mobile media and communications systems for defense and civilian use.

KVH Industries Inc. (Nasdaq: KVHI) is an ISO 9001-certified company. Information about its fiber-optic gyro (FOG) systems is available at www.FiberOpticGyro.com, while information about defense navigation and guidance products is available at www.TacNav.com. Additional information about the company is available at www.kvh.com.