Agilent eyes prospects in defence sector

NEW DELHI, INDIA: One of the leaders in measurement technologies Agilent Technologies, a spun off from Hewlett Packard, sees huge potential in the Indian aerospace and defence sectors.

At the Aerospace and Defence Symposium 2012 in New Delhi, the company, with new set of products, was optimistic about its adoption in defence forces.

Agilent Technologies India (EMG) GM (marketing) Gautam Awasthi said that with a focus on electronic measurement and bio-analytical measurement, they offer technology refresh, asset management and trade-in programmes. 

“Our application experts work closely for repair, calibration and engineering services,” he added. The aerospace and defence market, Awasthi said, consists of electronic warfare, intelligence, navigation, communication and radar.

The test and measurement major is also working on satellites with ISRO, and other areas, including software-defined radio (SDR), guidance systems and military communications.

Agilent’s extended portfolio now also includes X series generators, Infiniium 90000 Q series oscilloscopes, PNA-L vector network analyzer, U2020 X series USB power sensors and U1810B USB coaxial switch.

Sudhir Tangri, country manager at Agilent Technologies India (EMG), said that they have been getting overwhelming response from the industry leaders, key decision makers, senior scientists and technical officers from the DRDO labs and R&D wings.

The test and measurement major also said that they offer flexible hardware and software options and updates which, it said, are Windows-based tools that reduce capital investment.

Agilent Technologies marketing manager at Microwave and Communication Division Susan Owen said that company’s X series signal generators are industry's best in performance and facilitate lowest cost of ownership.

The challenges today, Owen said, include higher demand for data to support video and applications; surveillance, imaging and detection radar operating in dense urban areas; and systems designed to locate smaller objects.

Technologies to support stealth, and wideband and ultra wideband communication radars are the major trends in the aerospace and defence sectors, the company said. 

These verticals contribute nearly 40 per cent of the company’s total revenue worldwide. Agilent earned consolidated revenue of $6.6 billion in 2011.