Ridgetop Receives Contract for Prognostics/Fault-Tolerant Electronics

Tucson, Arizona - May 18, 2005 -- Ridgetop Group, Inc. today announced that it had received a new Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) award from the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. "It is extremely gratifying to have received a commitment from the Air Force on this contract. We will be working closely with a large Aerospace Firm to adapt some of our prognostics technology to the area of fault-tolerant data buses used to control Jet Aircraft engines" said Doug Goodman, Ridgetop’s President and CEO. "Our staff members possess the talent, leadership skills and determination needed to make this successful."

The work will focus Ridgetop’s background in electronic prognostics to extract electronic “signatures” associated with impending performance problems in aircraft “fly-by-wire” control systems. By providing the means to detect these upcoming failures, known as “prognostics”, a foundation to create more robust control capabilities is possible. Under the SBIR Program, certain companies are selected to work on advanced projects critical to the future needs of the Air Force. SBIRs are completed in phases, with the initial Phase I being the design, and typically sized at the $100,000 level for a 9 month engagement. Upon success of Phase I, the contract size is typically stepped up to the $750,000 level for development of hardware prototypes and conducting the evaluation process.

About Ridgetop Group, Inc.

Ridgetop plays an essential role in the emerging field of electronic prognostics. Ridgetop’s customers include NASA, Navair/JSF, Navsea, and the Department of Energy. The company is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. More information about the company, its products, and services is available at www.Ridgetop-Group.com.