Helionetics Wins Contracts Worth $9 Million

Helionetics, the Irvine-based high-technology manufacturer, announced Wednesday that it has recently received three new defense contracts worth a total of $9.2 million. The three orders bring the value of work ordered from the company this year to a record $40 million.

The new contracts include a $5.2 million order from the U.S. Navy for an airborne laser transmitter to be used in the satellite laser communications field test. Earlier this year Helionetics received a $2 million Navy contract to develop and test the system in preparation for the actual field test.

In addition, the company said it had also received a $2 million contract from the U.S. Army for helicopter spare parts.

A Helionetics spokeswoman said the new contracts bolster the company’s hopes that the current quarter--unlike the previous one when it lost $5 million--would be profitable. In the period ended June 30, the company wrote off $4.4 million in unprofitable operations as part of a restructuring and realignment of its manufacturing focus.

The restructuring began in January when Michael Mann took over as Helionetics’ chief executive. By May, the company had laid off 190 employees, nearly one-third of its work force, and abandoned its opulent Santa Ana headquarters in favor of more affordable accommodations in Irvine.