Exelis fires up its $2 million technology investment from the University of Rochester

Rochester, NY--Earlier this year, the University of Rochester invested in a $2 million magnetorheological-finishing (MRF) optics polishing machine to be used by Exelis. Optics fabricated by Exelis will be used by the University’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) for inertial-confinement-fusion research.

Today (Aug. 14, 2013), Exelis, together with the University of Rochester, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the start of actual optics polishing work using the new equipment. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, who has worked to secure funding for the University of Rochester's LLE, as well as other innovative projects and advanced manufacturing in Rochester, was on hand to deliver remarks.

MRF, a highly precise, ferrofluid-based optical polishing technique, is a part of Exelis core optics business expertise.

Exelis is headquartered in McLean, Va., employs about 19,000 people, and generated 2012 sales of $5.5 billion. Among other things (such as electronic warfare, navigation, sensors, air traffic systems, communications and information systems, and composite aerostructures), Exelis designs and manufactures high-quality,high-precision large optics or high-energy applications, commercial and government remote sensing, and ground-based astronomy systems.