Eric Milburn, Managing Director of ECM Technologies, said the last year has been exceptionally good for the company, especially after the lean years of the pandemic, with activity picking up to pre-Covid levels. “We are very happy with the recovery,” he said, with strong movement on the electro-optical (EO), explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), mobility, and CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) fronts.

ECM Technologies previously supplied a substantial amount of bomb disposal equipment to the police ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, and as much of that is now obsolete, there have been a lot of new procurements in the last couple of years. Much of the company’s bomb disposal/EOD range was on display at the recent Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024 exhibition, with its robot range standing out along with bomb suits, portable X-ray systems and modular Bombtec equipment kits.

The robots (unmanned ground vehicles – UGVs) on display come from the ICP NewTech range, and are designed for tasks such as EOD, mine clearance, bomb disposal, firefighting etc. ECM Technologies has previously supplied robots to the South African Police Service and SA National Defence Force. Milburn sees firefighting robots (such as ICP NewTech’s Avenger Fire) as becoming increasingly popular globally.

Also notable on the EOD side of the business is a portable X-ray scanner from Scanna that can be fitted to a robot and driven remotely to, for example, a suspicious bag to identify what’s inside. The same robot can then neutralise the threat by detonation or firing a relevant projectile at it. This avoids the need to move the suspicious package.

The optics/electro-optics side of business has been nice and steady, Milburn explained, as local original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have been busy. “If our customers are doing well then we do well. We have been successful in that market because our customers are being successful. A lot of that has been driven by the situation in the Middle East and global instability.”

At AAD 2024, ECM Technologies exhibited sensors for missile guidance systems and laser range finders, a novel helmet-worn system that fuses night vision and thermal imaging into one device, Trijicon weapon sights (ECM has been the exclusive South African distributor for Trijicon for more than 30 years), different night vision tubes, armoured vehicle periscopes and vision systems from GuS Periscopes, and SureFire weapon-mounted flashlights, lasers and infrared lasers.

As the agent for Photron high-speed cameras, ECM Technologies has supplied these to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Alkantpan, and Denel Overberg Test Range for weapons and other testing. Another electro-optical capability being showcased at AAD was an optical height of burst weapons sensor, which is replacing radio frequency systems as optical systems cannot be jammed.

The ECM Technologies stand was divided into sections, including EOD/bomb disposal, optics/electro-optics, CBRN, and mobility. Regarding the latter, the company is the military distributor of Pirelli Tyres in South Africa as well as partner to runflat specialist RunFlat International. Many local OEMs use Pirelli tyres, such as OTT and DCD, as well as RunFlat systems, and this “is becoming quite a nice business for us,” Milburn said.

The final main component of ECM’s showcase was its CBRN offerings, including respirators, suits, protective gloves, decontamination products etc. A new addition to the lineup is a novel Smiths Detection portable lightweight chemical detector that not only detects gases but can sample non-volatile compounds to identify narcotics, explosives, and toxic chemicals. Milburn sees the CBRN pipeline looking robust as interest increases for these products.

ECM Technologies started in 1985 as a one-man business specialising in optical products. The company has grown over the last 39 years to become a leading supplier in the defence and law-enforcement markets. Although local defence and security budgets are tight, ECM Technologies is tendering for multiple contracts for Border Management Authority equipment, and supports the many local OEMs that rely on export business.

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Trijicon’s history goes back to 1981 and starts with company founder Glyn Bindon. Glyn A. J. Bindon was born in 1937 in Pretoria, South Africa and matriculated at Pretoria boys High before emigrating to the United States in the mid-1950s where he received a degree in aeronautical engineering from Parks College in 1958.

Following his graduation, Glyn worked with a small engineering company in New York state where he developed a powerful shock absorber for the tail hook of the Navy’s F-8U Crusader which allowed that aircraft to be used in aircraft carrier operations for the first time. During the 1970s, Glyn moved to Grumman Aerospace as a Cognizant Engineer. In that capacity, he interfaced with NASA during one of the most intense periods of space exploration. He was extremely proud of a valve he designed that was used aboard the lunar module. The valve was called upon to perform far beyond the original design standards during the difficult Apollo13 mission.

In the 1970s, Glyn relocated to Michigan and joined the Ford Motor Company as a product design engineer where his knowledge of fluid dynamics positioned him as a key problem solver in Navistar’s struggle with the unit injectors in its (then) new diesel engine series.

In 1980, Glyn was visiting his family in South Africa and met the developer of the Armson OEG gunsight. The designer was attempting to introduce the OEG sight to the American market. The concept whetted his interest, and upon his return home, Glyn began importing those sights as a sideline business.  He named his company Armson, Inc., and the Armson sights were his only product from 1981 until 1985.

The Armson OEG had a similar design to the original Singlepoint red dot, which was first used by American forces in the nighttime 1970 Son Tay raid in Vietnam. The Armson OEG, however, had more robust features and a variety of mounting systems for popular rifles and shotguns.

Glyn made the company’s first US sale with an order for six pieces. Shortly after, came an order for 12 pieces, and the orders kept coming with the Armson OEG becoming available for sale in stores in 1983. At the time, the company was still run out of Glyn’s family home, with assistance from his children.

In 1985, Trijicon introduced the world’s first tritium-reticule riflescope, the Spectrum Riflescope. This was followed with the launch of the world’s first commercially available tritium-illuminated iron sights for handguns, the Bright & Tough Night Sights.

It was at this time that the company considered a name change, and Glyn created the name Trijicon, by combining two words: “Tritium” the key element in the company’s innovative illumination technology, and “icon” meaning a picture or image. The “j” was added to combine both words to form Trijicon, resulting in the “iji” in Trijicon mimicking the “three-dot” design of the Bright & Tough Night Sights.

Glyn would often take apart optical technologies, dissecting and exploring them. A particular pair of binoculars sat disassembled on his work bench for several weeks. Glyn was curious if moving a riflescope’s prism (much like in a pair of binoculars) could make the riflescope more compact. At the time, many scopes on the market were large and bulky. After some experimenting, Glyn found an answer, and revolutionised riflescope technology.

In 1987, Trijicon first introduced their TA01 4×32 ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight), which, using prism sight technology, would go on to be their flagship product. Almost immediately the ACOG was included in the U.S. Army Advanced Combat Rifle programme, the beginning of what would become a life-changing partnership.

Trijicon products saw their first combat use in Operation “Just Cause” in Panama. Users were impressed, and by 1991 Trijicon sights saw extensive use in Operation “Desert Storm”.

Trijicon’s innovation continued with the launch of the ACOG 3.5×35 in 1992, which introduced the Bindon Aiming Concept (BAC). This allows the shooter to track and engage targets faster by utilising an illuminated aiming point, instead of traditional black crosshairs – the BAC is a simple way to shoot illuminated optics with both eyes open. U.S. Navy SEALs began testing the new ACOG 3.5×35 with great fanfare, and the optic was officially adopted by German GSG9 SWAT on SIG 550 rifles.

The ACOG 4×32 riflescope saw massive success in both tests and in combat use, which subsequently lead to the U.S. Special Operations Command purchasing 12,000, choosing the TA01 as their official scope for M4 carbines. This was the first official optic enhancement of the M16 family by the U.S. Military.

As Glyn Bindon and his family grew up hunting, they understood there was a need for accurate riflescopes that could take a beating. In 1998, Trijicon introduced the AccuPoint 3-9×40 dual-illuminated riflescope, specifically with hunters in mind. In 2000, the AccuPoint line expanded with the 1.25-4×24 model riflescope, designed to help safari hunters.

In September 2003, Glyn Bindon, founder of Trijicon, died in a plane crash in Alaska. Glyn would not see his invention grow to be the success it is today, under Stephen Bindon, who continued building his father’s vision.

While it took Trijicon 18 years to produce the first 100,000 ACOG 4×32 riflescopes, it took only 18 months to manufacture the next 100,000. This became possible with the ACOG TA31 RCO, becoming the first-ever official Rifle Combat Optic (RCO) of the US Marine Corps.

The following year, in 2006, the order for 100,000^th 4×32 ACOG riflescope was completed, and occurred alongside the release of Trijicon’s new 2.5-10×56 30mm tube AccuPoint variable powered riflescope.

In 2007, Trijicon engineers received feedback from U.S. Special Forces soldiers, who had been modifying their ACOGs by mounting a small red dot sight on the top. This modification allowed for the optic to be used in close quarters and at long range.

Trijicon took note, and later that year launched the Trijicon Red Dot Sight, its first-ever miniature reflex-style red dot sight. This was followed by a new ACOG 4×32 which came standard with a doctored red dot sight mounted on top. Trijicon then launched a similar product to the public, the ACOG Enhanced Combat Optical Sight (ECOS).

2007 continued to be a good year, with the U.S. army choosing the Trijicon ACOG 4×32 RCO as its standard field carry optic.

By 2009, Trijicon had produced their 500,000th 4×32 ACOG scope, and the Trijicon RMR was named “Optic of the Year” by Firearms Marketing Group.

In 2015, Trijicon launched the Miniature Rifle Optic (MRO), a red dot sight intended for broad use by military, law enforcement, competition shooters and hunters; built to be used in the harshest of environments. Guns & Ammo awarded the MRO “Optic of the Year.”

Trijicon produced their 1,000,000th ACOG 4×32 riflescope in 2017, and the following year were awarded a contract for the Trijicon VCOG (Variable Combat Optical Gunsight) 1-8×28 riflescope, which became the U.S. Marine Corps’ Squad Common Optic (SCO).

“Our war fighters deserve the very best equipment in defence of our nation. The Marine Corps’ SCO evaluation process was extremely rigorous, and we are honoured that the VCOG was selected to continue the tradition of battle-proven riflescopes that the Trijicon ACOG began in 2004 as the Marine Corps’ first Rifle Combat Optic,” said Stephen Bindon, Trijicon President & CEO.

Trjjicon are represented in South Africa by ECM Technologies, who have been the exclusive importer and distributor of Trijicon products since 1989.  This makes ECM Technologies the longest serving international distributor of Trijicon products in the world.

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Eric Milburn of ECM Technologies said the top tier of the security industry is becoming more professional and well-trained therefore they are also equipping themselves with new technologies to differentiate themselves from the other players.   

Night vision gear is one such technology.

“Whilst there is still a role for the traditional security guard walking around with a flashlight, the modern security officer is often faced with sophisticated criminals who are armed and dangerous.  In those circumstances switching on a flashlight only serves as a target for the criminal.”

“The security officer needs to be able to conduct surveillance without giving away his own position or presenting as a target.  In such cases, night vision becomes a necessity.  The night vision can be a simple handheld device or can also be weapon mounted.  Some of the larger security companies have their own helicopters and most of their pilots make use of night-vision aviator goggles,” he explained.

ECM Technologies stocks a full range of night vision products in different modes and using different technologies, which have become popular in the private security industry.

“Our night vision devices are small, lightweight and easy to use.”

Eric Milburn

The Image Intensified Night Vision is what most people think of when they hear the term night vision. 

It is the “traditional” green image that is often shown in movies, and whilst this “green phosphor” image intensified (I²) night vision is still sold in large quantities, the preference for most users has shifted to “white phosphor” I² products which is more like a black & white image.  I² products are available in many configurations. 

“For example, we offer a multi-use monocular (MUM) which can be used as a hand-held device but can also be head or helmet-mounted or even weapon-mounted.  The MUM is sold as a kit and comes complete with a head mount and a weapon mount in the box.  Helmet mounting required the purchase of a separate helmet mount,” Milburn said.

The Low Light C-MOS Night Vision is a low-cost solution that can be used in urban environments where there is usually a fair amount of ambient light.  These are available as handheld devices.

Then there is Thermal Imaging. 

“Most of our thermal imaging products are only available to military or government clients but we do have a range of non-mil-spec thermal devices which can be sold into the commercial security industry,” said Milburn.

Different companies have different considerations, added Milburn.

“These could be price, performance, availability, after-sales service, knowledgeable sales staff, etc. Because of our wide range of product offering, we can usually tick the boxes on any of these considerations.”

The products are “very user friendly and usually only a few minutes of training is required”. 

“Some of the thermal products require a bit more training to guide the customer through the various built-in menus and features.  We offer on-site training when required as well as telephone support,” said Miburn.

ECM Technologies customers have had many successes with the products however, due to the nature of the industry, prefer to keep it private.

“We can in general terms share the success of one particular company that was using night vision aviator goggles in a helicopter as well as our MUM devices for the personnel on the ground who had significant successes in apprehending several gangs of cable thieves.  We have another customer active in anti-poaching who has many success stories of how their night vision equipment played a critical role in capturing poachers,” said Milburn.

“The private security industry is being called on to support the SAPS, as evidenced during the recent election and is still currently in KZN.  This will require the security industry to be well-equipped if they are to step up to the task.”

Eric Milburn

Milburn is an industry leader with decades of experience.

ECM Technologies started in 1985 as a one-man business specialising in optical products.  The company has grown over the last 39 years to become a leading supplier in the defence and law-enforcement markets. 

The company is now South Africa’s leading supplier of CBRN defence products and is also the No.1 supplier of EOD and C-IED products to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police Service/

The original optical products business has grown into large portfolio of optics, electro-optics and sensors servicing the SANDF as well as a host of defence OEMs and contractors.

 ECM Technologies also has a Mobility division that specialises in the supply of premium tyres (ECM is the exclusive military distributor of Pirelli Tyres) as well as run-flat systems to military and security clients.  

The company also supplies many of its products to the private security industry, a fast-growing market, and has a wholesale division supplying commercial tactical products through a large network of retail stores countrywide.

“Our vast array of “latest-technology” products, our reputation for customer service, including though-life support for many of the products that we sell sets us apart.”

Eric Milburn

“Our knowledgeable sales staff and product specialists and our in-house service centre.  We assemble, purge and calibrate most of our night vision products locally and we are unique in our ability to service and repair night vision equipment in South Africa,  This is especially important for the aviator products which need to be calibrated regularly in order to comply with Civil Aviation requirements,” said Milburn.

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