EXHIBIT 99.1


NEWS RELEASE


                          APA Completes CSP Acquisition


     MINNEAPOLIS  (March  17, 2003) - APA Optics (Nasdaq/NM.APAT) Blaine, MN has
completed  an  acquisition  of  assets  from  Computer  System  Products,  Inc.
(Plymouth, MN) for cash and assumption of certain liabilities.  In addition, the
principal  shareholders  of CSP received 5-year warrants for purchase of 350,000
shares  of  APA common stock, exercisable at $3.00 per share. The assets will be
deployed  by  APA's  new  subsidiary,  APA  Cables  and  Networks,  Inc., in the
manufacture of standard and custom copper and fiber cable assemblies for service
providers  and  original  equipment  manufacturers.

     APA  Optics,  Inc.  designs,  develops,  manufactures  and markets advanced
products  for  fiber  optic  communications, including dense wavelength division
multiplexing  (DWDM) components and Gallium Nitride compound semiconductor-based
ultraviolet detectors, instruments and consumer products. Additional information
about  APA  is  available  at  www.apaoptics.com.
                               -----------------

     Forward-looking  statements  contained herein are made pursuant to the safe
harbor provisions of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements
are  based  upon  the  Company's current expectations and judgments about future
developments  in  the Company's business. Certain important factors could have a
material  impact  on  the  Company's performance, including, without limitation,
delays  in or increased costs of production, delays in or lower than anticipated
sales of the Company's new products, the Company's ability to sell such products
at  a  profitable  price,  the  Company's  ability to fund operations, and other
factors discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking  statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such
statements to reflect actual events.



APA Optics, Inc. Contact Information:
- -------------------------------------

Dave Peters
Chief Financial Officer
dpeters@apaoptics.com
- ---------------------
763-784-4995

Anil Jain
Chief Executive Officer
infor@apaoptics.com
- -------------------
763-784-4995


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