In response to the growing demand for protection against laser designation and ranging systems, optoelectronics maker Excelitas Technologies has completed its investment in state-of-the-art automation to expand production capacity for its proprietary Harlid, or high angular resolution laser irradiance detector. The device is used in laser warning receiver systems for ground vehicles, naval vessels, fixed or rotary wing aircraft, and static perimeter facilities. Harlid is used to detect and provide angle-of-arrival information from direct and indirect scattered light from laser rangefinders, laser target designators and active electro-optic systems. Precise angular resolution from the laser warning receiver system is critical for effective countermeasures. Implementing fully automated robotic technology in the factory will increase the company’s capacity for volume production of the complex device. “Our strategy of moving away from manual assembly to full automation is allowing us to reliably and predictably increase Harlid manufacturing volumes to meet growing demand, while at the same time maintaining the fit, form and function of the platform,” said Michael Ersoni, senior vice president and general manager of Excelitas’ global detection business. An interactive demonstration of the Harlid unit will be presented April 24-26 at SPIE Defense, Sensing and Security in Baltimore. For more information, visit: www.excelitas.com