Friday, September 14, 2007

Nutmeg State defense firm wins detonator deal

A Connecticut-based aerospace and defense contractor has won a $7.6 million contract with the U.S. Navy for its explosive detonator technology.

The Navy hired Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense Co., which is based in Simsbury, Conn., to develop a non-electric detonator to be used by special forces, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. The Naval Surface Warfare Center based in Crane, Ind., commissioned the work, which is scheduled to be completed by September 2012.

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense Co. has roots dating back to 1830, when the company's founder, William Bickford, invented a safety fuse for detonating explosives.