Gyrocam Systems

Gyrocam Systems, LLC is owned and operated by Lockheed Martin. The company makes the Gyrocam camera system, a gyro-stabilized camera system using multiple sub-cameras. Founded in 2003, Gyrocam Systems is based in Sarasota, Florida. Gyrocam also has facilities in Washington, D.C. and Afghanistan.^[1] Gyrocam Systems markets their systems as technical solutions to identify and classify objects of interest, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and enemy insurgent activity using stabilized, multi-spectral, optical sensor packages integrated on Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.^[2] Gyrocam Systems continues to expand their presence in the land sensor market providing force multiplying products to the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps. Gyrocam System’s products also have airborne and maritime applications.

In August 2009, Gyrocam Systems, LLC was acquired by Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, a unit of Lockheed Martin's Electronic Systems business area, will manage the Gyrocam business. Missiles and Fire Control has major facilities in Dallas, Texas and Orlando, Fla.^[3]

History

Gyrocam Systems, LLC was founded in 2003 when a privately owned investment firm used their capital to acquire the assets and Intellectual Property of a small manufacturer of gyro-stabilized cameras. Darrell Egner has served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gyrocam Systems since January 2007. In addition to Mr. Egner, Gyrocam System’s Board includes two retired Army General Officers, General Leon E. Salomon and [General Peter Schoomaker; along with the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, General William L. Nyland; former Under Secretary of Defense, Dr. Jacques Gansler; and strategy and investment experts, Peter Rudaizky and Barry Brott.^[4]

After the formation of the full service defense contractor, Gyrocam Systems emphasized product refinement with an emphasis on research and development. Gyrocam Systems product development efforts created a mast-mounted, vehicle-based, mobile sensor application concept utilizing their durable, highly stable camera systems. This solution proved to meet an immediate ISR requirement for military and law enforcement customers.^[2]

With the incidents of IED encounters on the rise, the first mast-mounted, vehicle-based military systems were deployed in early 2005 for the U.S. Army’s Hunter-Killer project; a program created by the Department of Defense as a U.S. Army effort with the objective of demonstrating current technological capabilities for an effective route clearance mission.^[2]

The company has provided hundreds of systems for the U.S. Army’s Vehicle Optics Sensor System (VOSS) program along with fixed-site systems. Gyrocam Systems provides approximately 50 personnel to Iraq and Afghanistan for sustainment and training efforts to all branches of the U.S. military.

In 2009, Gyrocam Systems was awarded a modification under a previously awarded firm fixed-priced contract to exercise an option period for the procurement of Spare 360 Camera Systems for the MRAP vehicle. The MRAP vehicles are armored vehicles with blast resistant underbodies designed to protect the crew from mine blasts, fragmentary, and direct fire weapons.^[5]

In 2013 Lockheed Martin permanently closed Gyrocam Systems and laid off all of its employees. http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2013/01/10/lockheed-martin-shutting-down-gyrocam.html

Products

Gyrocam Systems has developed an extensive product line of camera systems that provide stabilized images from miles away, whether in air, on land, or at sea.^[6] Since 2004, Gyrocam Systems has fielded well in excess of 500 mast-mounted vehicle camera systems to the U.S. military in both Iraq and Afghanistan.^[1]

References

External links

• Gyrocam Systems, LLC Official Website