EL SEGUNDO, CA. January 2001 - International Rectifier (NYSE:IRF - news; IR) today announced that it is the first company to secure a bulk export license for power semiconductors (metal-oxide field effect transistors, or MOSFETs) used in communications satellites and other high-radiation environments.

Approval of IR's export license allows immediate shipment of radiation-hardened (RAD-Hard(TM)) power MOSFETs that operate at or above 500k rads(Si) to pre-approved customers and programs from the Office of Defense Trade Controls (ODTC), U.S. Department of State.

``The new license enables IR to leverage its technology leadership in global markets without compromising national security,'' said Richard Southwell, International Rectifier HiRel Components Group Marketing Manager. ``The license gives our customers faster and easier access to the industry's leading space-level power management components and helps system fabricators meet project completion deadlines and vehicle launch windows.''

The 500k rads(Si) rating applies to certain silicon (Si) components that can withstand long-term radiation in space. The 500k rads(Si) designation reflects the radiation survivability used by the State Department to distinguish technologies that are considered to be vital to the security of the United States.

IR's radiation-hardened power MOSFETs for applications below 500k rads(Si) are available for shipment without an export license under Department of Commerce rules Export Administration Regulations (EAR 99).

Companies and satellite programs on the U.S. Government approved list include the NATO countries as well as major U.S. non-NATO allies Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Republic of Korea and Argentina. The satellite must be launched from a country listed above or a territory of a country listed above. Typical launch sites include the United States and French Guiana.

The lists of companies and programs can be found at the U.S. Department of State Office of Defense Trade Controls Web site.