Eureka Aerospace, based in Pasadena, Calif., is an advanced-technology firm that combines world-class expertise in electromagnetics and signal processing with a drive to deliver systems that provide uniquely superior customer solutions. Eureka Aerospace had two unique technologies participating in the '04-05 Navy TAP — Non-lethal Area Denial to Vehicles and a Through-the-Wall Sensor. These technologies seem to be pulled straight from science fiction, but Eureka is turning fantasy into reality.
The technology that Eureka developed for the first project, Non-lethal Area Denial to Vehicles, is a high-power electromagnetic system (HPEMS) that uses microwave energy to remotely disable/damage vehicle's electronic control module/microprocessors which control an engine's vital functions. The system is capable of high-value asset (both moving and stationery) perimeter protection from approaching hostile vehicles, halting moving vehicles (such as in a car chase by law enforcement), and protecting the perimeter of clandestine operations.
The second project, the Through-The-Wall Sensor, was a call to the military's need to clandestinely determine the location, armament and other tactical information on personnel and equipment inside buildings, thus increasing the safety of military operations. Eureka Aerospace developed a high-resolution transient Impulse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ImpSAR) system. The ImpSAR system is capable of "seeing" through walls made of various materials and can remotely image targets on the "other" side of the wall, at a large stand-off distance.
Though both of the Navy-funded technologies that Eureka developed generated a lot of excitement, including news coverage from national news outlets such as ABC News, BusinessWeek and Wired News, commercialization was not guaranteed. Working with Dawnbreaker through the TAP to prepare to meet the challenges of commercialization, was Eureka's founder and CEO, Dr. James Tatoian. A seasoned scientific investigator with more 25 years of experience in the field of electromagnetics and advanced radar systems, Dr. Tatoian served as senior vice-president of Research & Development Laboratories, a high-tech firm specializing in airborne and space-borne radar applications. This experience served Dr. Tatoian and Eureka well as the company developed two technologies and two distinct business plans.
"Dawnbreaker helped immensely in determining an overall focus for each of our business plans. The Navy TAP also provided us with great exposure and opportunity. Our potential partners attended the Forum and already knew of us and about our technology," said Dr. Tatoian. The preparation of the documents used in the Transition Assistance Program infused the success of the firm with an even greater sense of satisfaction and, shortly after their participation in the Navy TAP, Eureka Aerospace won a $7.9M contract from the Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR) to advance their Through The Wall Technology. Dr. Tatoian has been very pleased with his work with the Office of Navy Research. "Our experience with the Navy and Marine Corps has been very positive and we have built a strong, professional working relationship. The contracting officers trust us to trust ourselves when it comes to our ImpSAR technology and with that, we are moving ahead."
