General Atomics has acquired MLD Technologies, a developer and producer of high-performance optical coatings and components primarily for aerospace and defense applications. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. with primary engineering and manufacturing operations in Eugene, Ore., MLD’s business will be integrated into the General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems group (GA-EMS). MLD has been a supplier of optical coatings to GA-EMS over the past six years. According to GA-EMS president Scott Forney, the acquisition allows the company to streamline innovation and production of a key component of their laser weapon systems, and positions the company to enhance performance and durability for high-power lasers. MLD specializes in the design, development, and manufacture of ion-beam-sputtered, low optical-loss, laser-damage resistant thin-films for the UV-visible-IR spectral region. Its product applications include lasers, laser devices, non-linear crystals, medical instruments and other photonic devices. The company was founded in 1997.