CONTACT:  Lynn O'Mara
                      Irvine Sensors Corporation
                      714-444-8718
                      lomara@irvine-sensors.com

COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA - September 15, 2001 - Irvine Sensors Corporation (NASDAQ: IRSN, Boston Stock Exchange: ISC), announced that Silicon Film Technologies, Inc., an independent and consolidated subsidiary, has suspended operations. The Silicon Film Board has retained special counsel in contemplation of liquidation through bankruptcy proceedings, if immediate financing alternatives are not secured.

Irvine Sensors, a fifty-one percent (51%) owner of Silicon Film, stated that it is also Silicon Film's largest creditor. Robert G. Richards, Irvine Sensors' President and Chief Executive Officer, said "The failure of certification tests in the summer delayed Silicon Film's anticipated revenues, but development expenses continued. They worked hard on the certification issues ,and a little over a week ago re-tested in compliance with the FCC's emission standards, but are still falling short with respect to stricter European standards. We believe at least some of those stricter standards must be met for a successful product launch. This has prolonged the schedule uncertainty. We have loaned Silicon Film substantial funds to support their product development because of our belief in the fundamental appeal of the Electronic Film System™ concept. However, we have reluctantly concluded that further loans in light of present market circumstances and remaining schedule uncertainty would not be in the best interests of Irvine Sensors' stockholders. We will consider any reasonable workout or alternative financing proposals that might emerge, but we have retained our own special counsel to vigorously pursue our position as their largest secured creditor should the contemplated liquidation ensue."

Irvine Sensors Corporation, headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, is primarily engaged in the development of high density electronics, MicroElectroMechanical sensors (MEMS) and readout circuits, miniature cameras and image capture systems, electro-optical and optical switches, image processing devices and software, electronic image stabilization, wireless infrared communications products, and low-power analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for diverse systems applications. It primarily seeks to commercialize its technologies through independently financed and managed subsidiaries.

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are dependent on risks and uncertainties including such factors, among others, as the ability of the Company to control and further reduce its operating expense, the technological risk in new products and the impact of competition. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Further information on the Company's status and the matters discussed herein are contained in publicly-filed disclosures available through the SEC's EDGAR data base (www.sec.gov) or the Company's Shareholder Relations.