Metronor AS and BAE Systems have signed two contracts related to Metronor's advanced boresight system technology, referred to as HarmoLign.

One of the contracts regulates the joint development of an F-16 Boresight System Demonstrator, intended for system qualification and future marketing activities aimed at the US Air Force and applicable Foreign Military Sales (FMS) nations. The other contract regulates Metronor's deliveries related to BAE Systems' production and delivery of two advanced boresight systems to an F-16 FMS customer. Under this contract Metronor will deliver core boresight system software, system sensors (cameras) and applicable boresight pads (LED pads) and measurement adapters.

The two contracts are a direct result of the previously signed Teaming Agreement between the two companies, an agreement that regulates how the companies will cooperate in the advanced boresight systems area.

The F-16 boresight systems will be based on Metronor's HarmoLign boresight system technology, originally developed under contract with BAE Systems. This technology is derived from Metronor's patented electro-optical technology, and has been designed to provide the most flexible, capable and affordable boresighting/harmonization technology available in the market. Providing on-screen type-specific graphical operator guidance – eliminating the need for operator training - and requiring no scheduled maintenance or calibration, the system has a very low life-cycle cost. While the system shares key technology with Metronor's proven range of industrial geometry measurement systems, the HarmoLign system has been engineered from the ground up to meet all applicable military standards and requirements. The system can readily and affordably be adapted to a wide range of weapon system platforms, as well as for alignment of civil aviation sensors/systems. Although originally developed for measurement of roll-, pitch- and yaw offsets only, the system can also be used for accurate determination of position. As such the system provides full 6 degrees of freedom (6-DOF) capability, applicable for alignment/ harmonization of optical helmet tracker systems and other weapon system sensors requiring 6-DOF alignments.

'Operators of US made fighter aircraft are among the largest user groups of advanced boresight systems. Hence, the F-16 related contracts are of great importance to Metronor. In addition to providing us with an important marketing tool, the two contracts are important in the process of qualifying the Harmolign technology for use on US made fighter aircraft platforms', says Oeyvind Roetvold, CEO and President of Metronor.