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Blackwood,
New Jersey - (January 24, 2002) - Metrologic Instruments,
Inc. (NASDAQ-NMS: MTLG), a leading manufacturer of sophisticated
imaging systems using laser, holographic, vision-based technologies,
high-speed automated data capture solutions and bar code scanners,
today announced that its subsidiary Adaptive Optics Associates
Inc. ("AOA')has been awarded two orders from Lawrence
Livermore National Labs ("LLNL") for opto-mechanical
design and production work on the National Ignition Facility
("NIF") Construction Project. AOA is presently working
with LLNL to secure additional orders in support of NIF.
 AOA's
Involvement: In
the fall of 2001 Adaptive Optics Associates signed a Master
Task Agreement ("MTA") with Lawrence Livermore National
Labs for design finalization, manufacturing, engineering and
production of various NIF optical systems. "The National Ignition
Facility is an excellent example of AOA's strategy to win
new business based on our extensive expertise in sophisticated
opto-mechanical systems," said Jeffrey Yorsz, AOA President
and General Manager.
The MTA
qualifies AOA as an approved vendor giving LLNL a vehicle
to assign tasks and purchase parts for the 2.25 billion-dollar
project. Under this agreement, AOA has initially received
two orders or subcontracts. Mr. Yorsz continued, "We are working
to increase AOA's participation in this project and I am pleased
that AOA can be involved with a program that is so important
to the country both for reasons of security and intrinsic
research."
The first
order is for 16 light launcher assemblies that are integral
alignment devices for setting and maintaining the position
of optical components. The second order is a Time & Materials
Contract for the refinement of spatial filter platforms. Found
throughout the laser system, the platforms "clean" and optimize
the quality of the laser pulse as it progresses through the
amplification process. Both items are components in the NIF
Laser Amplification System ("LAS"). The LAS amplifies
and maintains the integrity of the laser pulse as it travels
the long distance to the targeting chamber. Delivery is expected
to be made on both orders in the spring of 2002.
 About
NIF: The National Ignition Facility, under construction
in Livermore, CA, houses the world's largest laser that will
allow scientists to maintain the integrity and reliability
of our country's existing nuclear weapons without live testing.
When completed, NIF will have over 33,000 square feet of precision
optics with over 22,000 small optics components. Under
the management of the University of California, Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory, the project is a collaboration of over
a dozen government agencies, national laboratories, universities
and commercial vendors.
NIF is
a 192 beam 1.8 Mega-Joule laser that creates conditions of
extreme temperatures and pressures in a laboratory setting.
The laser has been built to compress and heat BB-sized capsules
of fusion fuel that will create thermonuclear ignition. Temperatures
close to that of our sun will be created in the test setting.
As the largest laser in the world, NIF can create, for a billionth
of a second, 1,000 times the electric generating power of
the entire United States.
Built
to maintain our nation's stockpile of nuclear weapons without
live testing, the facility will also aid basic science and
fusion energy research. As the only facility that allows experiments
on thermonuclear burn, the Department of Energy considers
NIF a critical element in its Stockpile Stewardship Program
("SSP"). The program is a post-cold war initiative
dedicated to maintaining our nation's nuclear stockpile. The
SSP measures and studies the occurrences that take place during
a nuclear explosion.
Having
the ability to test such phenomenon without live nuclear testing
allows scientists to safely evaluate and maintain our existing
weapons. NIF will also allow for advancements in our knowledge
of nuclear science as well as provide a facility to safely
train the scientific and technical staff that will maintain
the stockpile.
 Why
NIF Is So Important: Each year the National Laboratory
must evaluate every weapon system in its stockpile. Surveillance
data is considered for each system to ensure that it is still
sound and operational and the system is recertified for another
year. Should data show that further investigation is required,
scientists must then conduct experiments as to the reliability
of the weapon. This is where NIF will play a vital role allowing
precise conditions to be replicated and tested.
The
NIF Project: The NIF construction project is a monumental
undertaking. A facility the size of a football stadium has
been built from the ground up. The facility consists of three
connected buildings, an optics assembly building, a laser
building and a target area building. Each of NIF's 192 laser
beam paths travel hundreds of yards before reaching their
destination in the target chamber. The 260 million-dollar
conventional building project was completed on schedule. Integration
of the NIF optical systems has begun and will continue over
the next three years.
About
Metrologic and AOA: Metrologic designs, manufactures and
markets bar code scanning and high speed automated data capture
solutions using laser holographic and vision-based technologies.
Metrologic offers expertise in 1D and 2D bar code reading,
optical character recognition, image lift and parceling dimensioning
and singulation detection for customers in retail, commercial,
manufacturing, transportation and logistics and postal and
parcel handling industries.
In addition
to its extensive line of bar code scanning and vision system
equipment, the company's AOA subsidiary provides laser beam
delivery and control systems to semi-conductor and fiber optic
manufacturers as well as a variety of highly sophisticated
optical systems used by government, military and aerospace
agencies. Metrologic products are sold in more than 100 countries
worldwide through Metrologic sales, service and distribution
offices located in North and South America, Europe and Asia.
For more information please call 617-806-1400 or visit www.adaptiveoptics.com
or www.metrologic.com.
Forward-Looking
Statement: Forward looking statements contained in this
release are highly dependent upon a variety of important factors
which would cause actual results to differ materially from
those reflected in such forward looking statements. Specifically,
the factors that could cause actual results to differ from
expectations include: Foreign currency fluctuations with the
U.S. dollar; the timing, introduction and market acceptance
of Metrologic's new products; pricing pressures; competitive
factors; sales cycles of Metrologic's products; Metrologic's
ability to control manufacturing and operating costs which
affect future profitability; technological changes in the
scanner or other industryÕs where Metrologic competes, specifically
vision-based technologies; availability of patent protection
for Metrologic vision-based technologies and other products;
general economic conditions and the disposition of legal issues.
When used in this release and documents referenced, the words
"believe", "expect", "may", "should", "seek" or "anticipate"
and similar expressions as they relate to Metrologic or its
management are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
For additional factors, please see Metrologic's report filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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About
ABL: ABL is a modified Boeing 747-400 Freighter mounted
with a high-energy chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) that
can acquire, track and destroy theater ballistic missiles
(TBMs) in its boost-phase, while it is likely to be in enemy
airspace. 
Based
upon the company's founding technology, the Laser Guide Star
Technique for Adaptive Optics, two Shack-Hartmann wavefront
sensors incorporate state-of-the-art cameras manufactured
by Intevac of Santa Clara, CA. Each sensor operates on a different
wavelength combining ultra-high sensitivity with ultra high-speed
technology allowing the sensors to view and correct errors
more accurately than ever before. 
About
Metrologic and AOA: Metrologic designs, manufactures and
markets bar code scanning and high speed automated data capture
solutions using laser holographic and vision-based technologies.
Metrologic offers expertise in 1D and 2D bar code reading,
optical character recognition, image lift and parceling dimensioning
and singulation detection for customers in retail, commercial,
manufacturing, transportation and logistics and postal and
parcel handling industries.