SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 5, 2002
SONEX RESEARCH, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in Charter)
Maryland 0-14465 52-1188993
(State or other (Commision file (IRS employer
jurisdiction of number) identification no.)
incorporation)
23 Hudson Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
(Address of principal executive offices)
(410) 266-5556
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
ITEM 5. - OTHER EVENTS
On August 5, 2002, Sonex Research, Inc. (the "Company") posted the
following notice to shareholders on its website (www.sonexresearch.com):
SONEX RECEIVES $200,000 DEFENSE SUBCONTRACT FROM SAIC
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND, August 5, 2002 - SONEX RESEARCH, INC. (OTC BB: SONX)
announced that it will receive initial funding of $200,000 under a subcontract
from Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) of San Diego, to
begin the conversion of a commercially available gasoline engine to start and
operate on standard military fuels (also referred to as "heavy fuels") for use
in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) weapon system.
SAIC, a leader in the development of advanced gun weapon systems including
launchers and smart projectiles, is the Department of Defense (DoD) prime
contractor for LEWK (Loitering Electronic Warfare Killer), a joint program
endorsed and funded by the Air Force, Navy, Army, and Marine Corps. The
objective of the LEWK program, an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration
(ACTD), is to develop and demonstrate the military utility of a low cost- flying
"truck", or loitering UAV, system with a 200-pound payload, capable of providing
several hours of continuous EW jamming and loitering "on-demand" warhead
delivery. LEWK transforms from a highly compact munition-like form factor,
launched by aircraft and helicopters, into a large wing, long endurance UAV by
using unique inflatable airfoil technology.
The DOD now requires engines used in UAVs and other military applications for
which gasoline storage and use are undesirable, to operate on less volatile,
kerosene-based heavy fuels to reduce the hazard associated with gasoline. SAIC
has asked Sonex to design and develop a heavy fuel engine (HFE) conversion
process for LEWK based on the patented Sonex Combustion System (SCS) engine
technology. Following the selection of a commercially available 70hp to 80hp
lightweight, spark-ignited, two-stroke, gasoline engine, Sonex will begin
development of an SCS modified combustion chamber design and proprietary
starting system to permit the converted engine to start and operate on heavy
fuel for use in the LEWK.
Sonex CEO and co-founder, Dr. Andrew A. Pouring, said that the amount of funding
approved at this time permits a multi-phase HFE program for LEWK to begin
immediately. SAIC and Sonex expect, although there is no assurance, that the
remaining funds needed to complete the design and testing process to achieve an
HFE prototype will be approved by the DoD sponsor later this year. Upon
successful demonstration of the SCS prototype HFE, SAIC anticipates a follow-on
award to Sonex to integrate the HFE with other propulsion system components and
with the LEWK airframe.
Sonex has worked previously with SAIC on a smaller HFE, having successfully
designed a heavy fuel conversion process for a 100cc engine for use in a UAV
being developed as a shipboard weapon system as part of a DoD program which
preceded LEWK.
Contact: Sonex Research, Inc.: George Ponticas, 410-266-5556, email:
sonex@erols.com, www.sonexresearch.com; Investor Relations: The Scottsdale
Group, Susan Ladue, 781-292-1050, email: info@thescottsdalegroup.com,
www.thescottsdalegroup.com.
**********************
ABOUT SAIC
SAIC is the nation's largest employee-owned research and engineering company,
providing information technology, systems integration and eSolutions to
commercial and government customers. SAIC engineers and scientists work to solve
complex technical problems in national security, homeland defense, energy, the
environment, telecommunications, health care and transportation. With annual
revenues of $6.1 billion, SAIC and its subsidiaries, including Telcordia
Technologies, have more than 40,000 employees at offices in more than 150 cities
worldwide. More information about SAIC can be found on the Internet at
www.saic.com.
ABOUT SONEX
Sonex Research, Inc., a leader in the field of combustion technology, is
developing its patented Sonex Combustion System (SCS) piston-based technology
for in-cylinder control of ignition and combustion, designed to increase fuel
mileage and reduce emissions of internal combustion engines. Sonex plans to
complete development, commercialize and market its SCS Stratified Charge Radical
Ignition (SCRI) combustion process to the automotive industry in response to
forthcoming increases in national vehicle fuel mileage standards. Presently,
high mileage, roomy and safe five-passenger automobiles using gasoline, direct
injected (GDI) engines are sold only in Japan and Europe due to high emissions.
Sonex intends to conclusively demonstrate that SCS-SCRI will enable GDI engined
vehicles to achieve 50 mpg (highway) while meeting emissions standards to permit
sale in the U.S. as a viable, near-term alternative to longer-term solutions
such as improvements in hybrid propulsion systems or years of further R&D
required for fuel cell technology to become practical.
Additionally, independent third-party testing has confirmed the potential of the
SCS application for DI diesel engines to reduce harmful soot in-cylinder without
increasing fuel consumption. Sonex is pursuing joint marketing and
commercialization programs for the SCS low soot technology with committed
industrial partners.
Other SCS designs are being used to convert gasoline engines of various sizes to
operate on safer, diesel-type "heavy fuels" for use in military and commercial
applications requiring light weight and safe handling and storage of fuel.
Examples include UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and ATVs (all-terrain vehicles)
such as those used by U.S. defense forces in Afghanistan, as well as outboard
engines, small watercraft used as targets, and generator sets.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This announcement, as well as all publicly disseminated material about the
Company, contains information in the form of "forward-looking" statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Such
statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and
assumptions by management with respect to, among other things, trends affecting
the Company's financial condition or results of operations and the impact of
competition. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and
involve risks and uncertainties, all of which are difficult to predict and many
of which are beyond the control of the Company. In order to obtain the benefits
of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Act for any such forward-looking
statements, the Company cautions shareholders, investors and prospective
investors about significant factors which, among other things, have in some
cases affected the Company's actual results and are in the future likely to
affect the Company's actual results and cause them to differ materially from
those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
Shareholders, investors and prospective investors should read this announcement
in conjunction with the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-KSB,
Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, and other filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission available online in the EDGAR database at www.sec.gov.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
August 5, 2002
SONEX RESEARCH, INC.
Registrant
/s/ George E. Ponticas
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George E. Ponticas
Chief Financial Officer