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New Address Will Let DRS Daylight Solutions Grow

From the very start, DRS Daylight Solutions set out to make a dual-use product — that is, something both the military and commercial enterprises might use.

In hindsight, it was a wise strategy. Today the U.S. military uses Daylight Solutions’ mid-infrared lasers to keep the enemy’s shoulder-fired missiles away from U.S. helicopters. Meanwhile, doctors and scientists put those same lasers to medical uses.

Almost 15 years after its founding, the business is seeing greater demand for its products. To accommodate anticipated growth, Daylight Solutions recently moved in to a new building. It formally opened it July 30 with craft beer and remarks from Rep. Scott Peters (D-San Diego).

The business is up to 225 employees. Daylight Solutions expects to grow its staff by 10 percent annually for the next couple of years, said Paul Larson, a company founder and current executive vice president.

Larson did the initial paperwork for the company in 2004 along with Dr. Tim Day, Ph.D. A third founder, Sam Crivello, provided the garage near Lake Murray in La Mesa that was the company’s first residence.

In March 2017, a large defense contractor acquired Daylight Solutions for $150 million. The buyer, Leonardo DRS, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rome-based Leonardo S.p.A.

Larson, Crivello and Day stayed on, with Day serving in the top post, senior vice president and general manager.

Daylight Solutions’ core mid-infrared laser unit is barely bigger than a U.S. quarter. Photo by Brad Graves.

Small But Mighty

Daylight’s core mid-infrared laser module is a little bigger than an inch square. Company officials refer to it as Herbie, after the automotive character from “The Love Bug” movie.

The device provides the core of an infrared countermeasures device that goes aboard helicopters in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force.

Daylight Solutions now occupies the bulk of a three-story, 68,000 square foot building. It has 50 percent more space than its previous home, including 71 percent more lab space, 60 percent more warehouse space and 60 percent more office space.

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