Net sales in our RF microwave amplifiers segment were $9.3 million for the three months ended April 30, 2006, compared to $9.9 million for the three months ended April 30, 2005, a decrease of $0.6 million, or 6.1%. The decrease was primarily driven by lower sales of our amplifiers that are incorporated into improvised explosive device jamming systems. Our RF microwave amplifiers segment represented 10.5% and 13.1% of consolidated net sales for the three months ended April 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. International sales (which include sales to domestic companies for inclusion in products which are sold to international customers) represented 33.5% and 49.1% of consolidated net sales for the three months ended April 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Domestic commercial sales represented 22.0% and 15.4% of consolidated net sales for the three months ended April 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Sales to the U.S. government (including sales to prime contractors to the U.S. government) represented 44.5% and 35.5% of consolidated net sales for the three months ended April 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. During the three months ended April 30, 2006, except for sales to the U.S. government, no customer represented more than 10% of consolidated net sales. During the three months ended April 30, 2005, except for sales to the U.S. government, one customer, a prime contractor, represented 13.7% of consolidated net sales. Direct and indirect sales to a North African country (including certain sales to the prime contractor mentioned above) during the three months ended April 30, 2006 and 2005 represented 7.3% and 12.7% of consolidated net sales, respectively. Gross Profit.Gross profit was $34.2 million and $29.5 million for the three months ended April 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, representing an increase of $4.7 million, or 15.9%. The increase in gross profit was primarily attributable to the increase in net sales, partially offset by a decrease in the gross profit percentage from 39.1% for the three months April 30, 2005 to 38.4% for the three months ended April 30, 2006. The decrease in the gross margin, as a percentage of consolidated net sales, was primarily due to a higher proportion of our consolidated net sales being in the mobile data communications segment, which typically realizes lower gross margins than sales in our other two segments, partially offset by continued increased operating efficiencies associated with increased usage of our high-volume manufacturing facility by all three of our business segments. In our mobile data communications segment, we continue to rollout our next generation satellite transceiver, known as the MT 2012, enhance our network and related software to provide increased speed and performance and upgrade certain of our firmware that needs to be modified. We continue to work closely with our customers and currently expect to continue these initiatives through fiscal 2007. If the current U.S. Army funding levels for MTS and battlefield command and control applications are maintained or increased, or if and when we receive additional orders from the Army National Guard, we may experience additional increased operating efficiencies. Included in cost of sales for the three months ended April 30, 2006 and 2005 are provisions for excess and obsolete inventory of $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively. As discussed above under “Critical Accounting Policies – Provisions for Excess and Obsolete Inventory,” we regularly review our inventory and record a provision for excess and obsolete inventory based on historical and projected usage assumptions. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.Selling, general and administrative expenses were $15.4 million and $12.9 million for the three months ended April 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, representing an increase of $2.5 million, or 19.4%. The increase in expenses was primarily attributable to (i) the increased level of net sales and activity in our telecommunications transmission and mobile data communications segments, (ii) the recording of $1.1 million of stock-based compensation expense during the three months ended April 30, 2006, and (iii) expenses associated with the transition of our Tolt sales force to focus its efforts on selling commercial satellite-based mobile data applications. There was no stock-based compensation expense included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended April 30, 2005. In addition, the three months ended April 30, 2005 was favorably impacted by $0.5 million of proceeds received which related to an insurance matter. As a percentage of consolidated net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 17.3% and 17.1% for the three months ended April 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. |