United Solar Ovonic Corp. (Uni-Solar Ovonic, Auburn Hills, MI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (ECD, Rochester Hills, MI), announced that it has been selected by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL, Kirtland AFB, NM) to receive a $4.45 million, 18-month contract to develop new solar cell technology to be used in space and airship vehicles addressing defense and homeland security applications.
The announcement builds upon the success of earlier contracts with the Air Force. In May 2003, AFRL awarded an $11.5 million contract to Uni-Solar Ovonic to develop its ultra-lightweight solar arrays to be used in space and airship vehicles, under which AFRL had an option to extend the contract with Uni-Solar Ovonic to provide additional funding. The Advanced Space Power Generation Group in the Space Vehicles Directorate of AFRL will administer the contract.
