US fightback boosts record Radstone

RADSTONE Technology, which makes computer equipment designed to operate in bad weather and under enemy fire, has come through last September's profit warning crisis and lifted its order book to a record £40m.

The $330bn (£224bn) boost to the US defence budget that followed 11 September led to a surge in orders. The latest is for the US army's main battle tank, the M1A1 Abrams, which will carry Radstone computers to help its crew accurately target enemy positions. Its equipment is also on board unmanned reconnaissance aircraft such as the Predator in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Second-half pre-tax profits increased 11% to £4.6m. The dividend is restored at 1p a share. Chairman Rhys Williams said many of the latest orders were for higher-margin products.

The shares were down 6p at 262 1/2p, 13p short of their five-year high of 275 1/2p.