ITGumbo: spicing IT up

CounterTerror Creations Ltd (CTC), is an Israel-based defense technology company that has created a non-lethal projectile (NLP) that can reduce the amount of civilian deaths resulting annually from civil disturbances, peacekeeping missions and self-defense. The company's literature describes the NLP as being "based on decreasing concentration of immediate impact energy followed by an increase of kinetic energy that delivers an optimum blow to the target through energy dispersal over a larger impact area during a longer impact time." The NLP can be used in any standard cartridge.

The company has been backed by funding from the Israel Ministries of Defense and Internal Security and is currently in the final stages of R&D before mass manufacturing a purchase order that it has received from the Israel Ministry of Defense (MOD).

I recently had the opportunity to sit with Art Braunstein, a co-founder of CounterTerror Creations Ltd., to ask him a few questions about his company's technology and funding.

What is the background of CTC?
When we founded CTC, we were looking for creative scientists with new concepts that we could promote. The non-lethal projectile was the most advanced project we found and we started to research it further and develop it.

What are some of the benefits of the NLP?
The NLP is highly accurate and is intended to reduce any permanent injury. It doesn't penetrate so there is no concern over damage to internal organs. By reaching ranges up to about 80 meters, it's accuracy is currently unmatched.

What are some of the advantages for MOD to use the NLP?
This will be useful for MOD for sniper action and special forces. This can be used to capture a terrorist in a non-lethal manner so that they can get information from them. It can also be used to show the human rights efforts that the Israeli defense establishment undertakes.

What is the market like for this?
It is currently a $300 million-a-year market that is expanding into the area of self-defense, specifically guards and personal protection.

When is this expected to reach the market?
Right now, with our current funding, it probably won't be on the market for another year and a half. With more funding, though, we can plan trips, overseas meetings and generally expedite the production protocol.

According to the Jerusalem Post, Israel will launch its "most-advanced satellite" on an Indian missile. The article states that the satellite is “capable of transmitting tiny images in all weather conditions.” The satellite was developed and manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and contains Synthetic Aperture Radar capabilities developed by its Elta subsidiary.

This is not the only major joint-defense project by the two countries recently and is just one of many deals that IAI has made with foreign countries over the years. An article on Ynet last week reported that a Dun & Bradstreet study listed IAI as the business world’s most interesting Israeli company because of its many deals abroad.

Aside from being a major player in the technology industry abroad, the company plays an important role in Israel’s economy by employing over 15,000 workers. Additionally, while it is mainly focused on defense technology, it also has a commercial aircraft subsidiary and is one of the oldest technology companies in Israel being founded shortly after the establishment of the State of Israel.