Recon Optical

Recon Optical's history begins in 1922, when Eugene W. Fuller established the Chicago Aerial Survey Company. The original business operated in the aerial-survey field, an area closely connected with the development and use of cameras carried by aircraft. It later became known as Chicago Aerial Industries, or CAI, before adopting the Recon/Optical name used in its defense-contracting activities. The company's early identity was linked to airborne imaging. Over time, its camera work progressed from film systems to digital systems, reflecting the broader transition in military reconnaissance from physical film collection and processing toward electronic capture, transmission, storage, and analysis. Recon Optical built expertise in cameras and optical assemblies for government and military applications, including visible-spectrum imaging and infrared sensing. By 1960, the company had relocated from Chicago to Barrington, Illinois. That facility was visited by John F. Kennedy while he was a presidential candidate. The Barrington location became associated with the company's later Illinois operations and remained relevant during subsequent ownership changes. Recon Optical's capabilities expanded from cameras into wider intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. Its portfolio included frame-scanning and line-scanning cameras, infrared equipment such as forward-looking infrared systems, and visible imaging products incorporating haze-reduction technology. It also supplied ground stations that enabled operators to receive, inspect, and analyze imagery collected by airborne platforms. This combination of sensors and exploitation infrastructure positioned the company as more than a component manufacturer. A central area of expertise was gimbal design. Gimbals allowed cameras to be aimed and stabilized despite movement of the aircraft or other host platform. The same technical capabilities supported increasingly integrated electro-optical systems and later contributed to stabilization equipment for remotely operated weapon systems. Through Force Protection Technology, or FPT, the company also participated in products associated with military force protection and remotely operated weapon applications. For many years Recon Optical was owned as a subsidiary of Bourns, Inc. In 2008, Goodrich Corporation acquired the company. Recon Optical then became part of Goodrich ISR Systems, aligning its imaging and electro-optical capabilities with Goodrich's broader intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance business. The subsequent corporate history was divided by business area. In 2009, Recon Optical FPT was purchased by Electro Optic Systems Holdings through EOS Defense, its United States subsidiary. This transaction transferred the force-protection business into an EOS-related structure rather than leaving all of the former Recon Optical activities under the same ownership. The Illinois office was closed in 2012. The available reference material does not document a later independent operating history for Recon Optical as a unified company, so the brand's current status cannot be established confidently from the supplied sources.

1. 2012Illinois office closed

   The Illinois office associated with Recon Optical FPT was closed.

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2. 2009Recon Optical FPT acquired by EOS Defense

   Electro Optic Systems Holdings acquired Recon Optical FPT through its United States subsidiary, EOS Defense.

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3. 2008Acquired by Goodrich Corporation

   Goodrich Corporation purchased Recon Optical and incorporated it into Goodrich ISR Systems.

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4. 1960Barrington, Illinois relocation

   The company had moved from Chicago to Barrington, Illinois, by 1960. The facility was visited by presidential candidate John F. Kennedy.

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5. 1922Company founded as Chicago Aerial Survey Company

   Eugene W. Fuller founded the business that later became Recon Optical, initially under the Chicago Aerial Survey Company name.

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A defense-electronics and systems-integration supplier focused on airborne and ground-based electro-optical sensing, imagery exploitation, precision pointing, stabilization, and force-protection applications.

• Airborne camerasISR imaging

  Recon Optical developed airborne cameras for military and government reconnaissance. Its work covered the transition from film-based imaging to digital capture, supporting the collection of imagery from aircraft and other platforms.

• Infrared and FLIR systemsElectro-optical sensing

  The company produced infrared optical systems, including forward-looking infrared equipment. These systems extended imaging capability beyond ordinary visible-light conditions and supported surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

• Visible imaging systemsElectro-optical sensing

  Recon Optical supplied visible-spectrum imaging equipment, including systems using haze-reduction technology. The products were intended to improve the usefulness of imagery gathered in atmospheric conditions that could reduce visibility.

• Frame and line scanning camerasISR imaging

  Its camera portfolio included both frame-scanning and line-scanning designs, allowing the company to serve different airborne imaging architectures and mission requirements.

• ISR ground stationsCommand, control, and exploitation

  Recon Optical provided ground stations used to receive, view, and analyze imagery gathered by aircraft. These systems connected airborne sensors with the personnel and infrastructure responsible for interpreting reconnaissance data.

• Gimbal and stabilization systemsPlatform stabilization

  Gimbal technology enabled cameras to be aimed and stabilized on moving platforms. Recon Optical applied this capability to electro-optical sensors and later to systems supporting remotely operated weapon applications.

• Force Protection TechnologyForce protection

  Recon Optical FPT represented the company's force-protection business, including stabilization-related technology for remotely operated weapon systems. The business was acquired by EOS Defense in 2009.

• 2009Sale of Recon Optical FPT to EOS DefenseM&A

  Following the Goodrich transaction, the force-protection portion of the business was identified as Recon Optical FPT.

  What changed. Electro Optic Systems Holdings acquired Recon Optical FPT through its United States subsidiary, EOS Defense.

  Aftermath. The FPT business moved into the EOS Defense organization, while the Illinois office was subsequently closed in 2012.

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• 2008Integration into Goodrich ISR SystemsM&A

  Recon Optical had operated for many years as a subsidiary of Bourns before Goodrich Corporation acquired it.

  What changed. Goodrich purchased Recon Optical and made it part of Goodrich ISR Systems.

  Aftermath. The business became part of Goodrich's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance organization.

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• 2012Illinois office closure

  The Illinois office associated with Recon Optical FPT was closed following its acquisition by EOS Defense.

  Other
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• 2009EOS Defense acquires Recon Optical FPT

  Recon Optical FPT was acquired by Electro Optic Systems Holdings through its United States subsidiary, EOS Defense.

  M&A
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• 2008Goodrich acquires Recon Optical

  Goodrich Corporation purchased Recon Optical, bringing the business into Goodrich ISR Systems.

  M&A
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1. Recon Optical