About Us

Background

MZA was formed in 1991 to meet a need for advanced simulation and analysis of adaptive optics systems at what is now the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL.) MZA was founded by four researchers having historical links to common projects: Bob Praus, president and software engineer, Steve Coy, a physicist and software designer, and two others. In December of 1992 MZA was awarded by the Phillips Laboratory, a four-year, multi-million dollar ATP Modeling and Simulation Support (AMASS) contract. The company has been growing and thriving since. MZA’s early work revolved around the Airborne Laser (ABL) which was a follow-on to the Airborne Laser Laboratory (ALL.) In 2012, MZA ownership of the company was spread to employees through the establishment of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). MZA transitioned from simulation and analysis to hardware integration and manufacturing by delivering beam control subsystems for high-energy laser weapons for customers throughout the DoW for air, land, and sea platforms. MZA has been consistently named to the New Mexico Technology Flying 40, a group of New Mexico technology businesses recognized for their rapid growth.

WaveTrain_Model

Key Dates and Milestones

  • 1991 – MZA incorporates on October 31, 1991.
  • 1995-1996 – MZA supports ABLE ACE flight testing and analysis.
  • 1998 – WaveTrain used to simulate Airborne Laser.
  • 2000 – MZA becomes Airborne Laser beam control modeler
  • 2005 – MZA’s affilate Active Optical Systems (AOS) is established.
  • 2005 – MZA office established in Dayton, Ohio.
  • 2008-2014 – MZA delivers beam control hardware and supports the Demonstrator Laser Weapon System (DLWS)
  • 2010 – Airborne Laser successful boost phase ballistic missile shootdown on February 11, 2010.
  • 2007-2022 – MZA collaborates with the University of Notre Dame on the Airborne Aero-Optics Laboratory (AAOL) flight testing for Navy, Air Force, and DARPA
  • 2010-2017 – MZA designs, builds, and flight tests the Navy Helicopter Beam Control System (HBDS)
  • 2018-2021 – MZA designs, builds, and delivers the beam control system for the Navy HELIOS
  • 2020-2022 – MZA designs, builds, and delivers the beam control system for the Army IFPC-HEL
  • 2018-2024 – MZA designs, builds, and delivers the beam control system for the Airborne HEL (AHEL)
  • 2021 – MZA acquires McCarter Machine for precision metal and optics fabrication.
  • 2024 – HITECH full-scale airborne beam director development begins
  • 2021-2025 – MZA designs, fabricates, and integrates, and tests the MZapp counter-UAS system and Scalable Beam Director (SBD)