I see just fine

Guambat had the recent privilege of trying on some night-vision goggles, courtesy of a demonstration of US Navy capabilities. They really open your eyes. We were told that commercially available products could provide even better vision but did not offer the rugged durability of the field goggles. Nevertheless, Guambat was comforted to know his defense was well-equipped to keep an eye on the bad guys.

But then, the commercially available products perhaps have found their way to the hands of the bad guys. Guambat does not consider that to be a good thing.

According to a WSJ report (but you need a ticket to read),

According to a written plea agreement to be filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Roanoke, Va., ITT will plead guilty to two felony counts: export of defense articles without a license and omission of statements of material facts in arms exports reports.

"The criminal actions of this corporation have threatened to turn on the lights on the modern battlefield for our enemies and expose American soldiers to great harm," U.S. Attorney John Brownlee said in a statement.

ITT, which Mr. Brownlee cited as the 12th largest systems supplier to the U.S. military, is the first major defense contractor convicted of violating the Arms Export Control Act.

The $100 million penalty includes a $2 million criminal fine, the forfeiture of $28 million in illegal proceeds to the U.S. and $20 million to the State Department. The remaining $50 million penalty will be suspended for five years and the White Plains, N.Y., company can reduce it on a dollar-for-dollar basis by investing in the development and production of more advanced night-vision technology so the U.S. military maintains battlefield advantage. (Read the U.S. statement and the ITT statement.)