AXSYS TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

• Sales Increase 5.3% Over 2002
• Net Income Increases to $1.4 million
• Aerospace and Defense backlog of $43.9 Million Reaches Record Level

ROCKY HILL, CONN. - July 28, 2003 - Axsys Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXYS), a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of precision opto-mechanical components and assemblies for the aerospace, defense and high per formance commercial markets, today announced results for the second quarter of 2003.

Sales totaled $21.7 million in the quarter ended June 28, 2003, compared to $20.6 million in the second quarter of 2002, an increase of $1.1 million, or 5.3 percent. In the second quarter of 2003, Axsys reported net income of $1.4 million, or $0.31 per share, compared to a net loss of $2.1 million, or ($0 .45) per share, in the quarter ended June 29, 2002. The net income for the second quarter of 2002 included a net loss from dis continued operations of $0.9 million, or ($0.19) per share.

The income tax provision for the second quarter of 2003 reflects only state income tax expense due to the util ization of $526,000 of the previously established federal tax valuation allowance.

Total company bookings in the second quarter of 2003 were $22.1 million compared to $19.9 million in the second quarter of 2002, an increase of $2.2 million, or 11.1 percent. Second quarter 2003 bookings for the Aerospace and Defense Group were $14.5 million, representing a 9.6 percent increase over the comparable quarte r in 2002. Aerospace and Defense bookings represented 65.7 percent of the total company bookings for the quarter and this segment's backlog comprises 71.3 percent of Axsys' total backlog at quarter end. During the second quarte r of 2003, bookings within the Commercial Products Group totaled $2.1 million increasing 28.0 percent over the second qua rter of 2002 while bookings in the Distributed Products Group were $5.5 million increasing 10.4 percent over the second qua rter of 2002.

Sales within the Aerospace and Defense Group during the quarter totaled $12.6 million, an increase of 6.3 perc ent from the second quarter of 2002. Sales within the Commercial Products Group totaled $3.8 million, a 9.3 percent increas e from the second quarter of 2002. The Distributed Products Group's sales totaled $5.3 million, representing a 0.5 percent incre ase from the second quarter of 2002.

Gross margin in the second quarter of 2003 was 27.6 percent, which compares favorably to a 25.5 percent gross margin reported for the same period in 2002. The gross margin improvement over the prior year is primarily the result of higher op erational efficiencies recognized in our Commercial Products Segment. In addition, gross margin in the second quarter of 2002 include d a $136,000 charge for the write off of obsolete inventory.

Pre-tax income from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2003 was $1.5 million. This compares to a p re-tax loss of $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2002. The pre-tax loss for the second quarter of 2002 included $1.3 m illion of restructuring and special charges and $101,000 of operating losses related to the sale of our Teletrac, Inc. subsidiary.

Looking forward, Axsys expects continued growth in the Aerospace and Defense business, which is supported by t he segment's record backlog of $45.3 million at the end of the second quarter. Although it is difficult to accurately forec ast future performance given changes in customer requirements and the impact that a single large order can have on our short-term fin ancial results, it is anticipated that Axsys' financial performance in the second half of 2003 will be comparable to the revenues an d profitability achieved in the first half of 2003.

Axsys' management invites you to listen to our conference call or our live audio web cast on July 29, 2003, at 10 a.m. ET regarding second quarter of 2003 financial results. The domestic dial-in number is (800) 833-9564, the interna tional dial-in number is (212) 748-2724 and the access number is 21154108. This call is being web cast by CCBN and can be accessed a t Axsys Technologies' Web site at www.axsys.com.

A replay of the conference call will begin at 1:00 p.m. ET on July 29, 2003, and will be available until Aug ust 4, 2003, at 1:00 p.m. ET. The replay can be accessed by dialing (800) 633-8284 or, outside the U.S., (402) 977-9140, with an access number o f 21154108. The web cast replay will be available until August 29, 2003.

Axsys Technologies Inc. is a vertically integrated supplier of precision optical and motion control componen ts and assemblies for high-technology applications, serving the aerospace, defense, semiconductor and graphic arts markets. Fo r more information, contact Axsys Technologies Inc., at www.axsys.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities E xchange Act of 1934, as amended. One can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words such as "expect," "ant icipate," "plan," "may," "will," "estimate" or other similar expressions. Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially. Important factors, which could cau se actual results to differ materially, are described in Axsys' reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q on file with the Securities and Ex change Commission.