<PAGE>   1
 
================================================================================
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                            ------------------------
 
   
                                  FORM 10-K/A
    
 
                       FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS
 
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
[X]   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED]
 
                 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED: SEPTEMBER 27, 1997
                                       OR
 
[]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OF 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
 
        FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                TO
 
                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-4817
 
                         BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
                      INDIANA                                          35-0905052
 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR         (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
                    ORGANIZATION)
         5080 NORTH 40TH STREET, SUITE 475                                85018
                 PHOENIX, ARIZONA
     (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                          (ZIP CODE)
</TABLE>
 
        REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: 602/957-0271
                            ------------------------
 
          SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
                TITLE OF EACH CLASS                     NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED
          COMMON STOCK, WITHOUT PAR VALUE                        AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE
           (STATED VALUE $.10 PER SHARE)
    $3.00 SENIOR VOTING CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE                   AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE
                   PREFERRED STOCK
            (PAR VALUE $1.00 PER SHARE)
</TABLE>
 
        SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT: None
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes  [X]     No  [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in PART III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K.  [X]
 
As of December 15, 1997, the aggregate market value of the Registrant's Common
Stock and Preferred Stock held by non-affiliates (based upon the closing price
of the shares on the American Stock Exchange on December 15, 1997) was
approximately $14,221,000.
 
On December 15, 1997 6,674,492 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock and
119,906 shares of the Registrant's Preferred Stock were outstanding.
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement prepared in connection with the 1998
Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into PART III of
this Annual Report.
 
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
   
                                    PART IV
    
 
ITEM 14  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
(a)(1)(2)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          PAGE
                                                                                          ----
<S>          <C>                                                                          <C>
             Consolidated Financial Statements
                                                                                            5
             Report of Independent Accountants..........................................
                                                                                            6
             Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 27, 1997 and September 28,
               1996.....................................................................
                                                                                            7
             Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended September 27, 1997,
               September 28, 1996 and September 30, 1995................................
                                                                                            8
             Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended
               September 27, 1997, September 28, 1996 and September 30, 1995............
                                                                                            9
             Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended September 27,
               1997, September 28, 1996 and September 30, 1995..........................
                                                                                           10
             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................................
</TABLE>
    
 
  Financial Statement Schedules for the Years Ended September 27, 1997,
September 28, 1996 and September 30, 1995.
 
Financial statement schedules have been omitted because either they are not
required or are not applicable, or because the information has been included in
the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
 
(a)(3)  EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER
----------
<C>         <S>
   3.1      Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation. (Previously filed as Exhibit A to
            the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement prepared in connection with the 1993
            Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is incorporated herein by reference.)
   3.2      Amended and Restated Code of By-Laws, as further amended on December 4, 1997.
            (Previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to this Form 10-K.)
   4.1      Indenture, Bowmar Instrument Corporation 13 1/2% Convertible Subordinated
            Debentures due December 15, 1995. (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the
            Registration Statement on Form S-7, File No. 2-70025, on November 25, 1980, which
            is incorporated herein by reference.)
   4.2      Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation. (See Exhibit 3.1 above.)
   4.3      Rights Agreement, dated as of December 6, 1996 between Bowmar Instrument
            Corporation and American Stock Transfer and Trust Corporation. (Previously filed
            as Exhibit 5C to the Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on December 19, 1996, which
            is incorporated herein by reference).
  10.1(b)   Lease dated February 23, 1990, by and between Bowmar/Ali, Inc. as landlord and
            LAU Acquisition Corporation as tenant. (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1(bb) to
            the Registrant's Annual Report of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September
            30, 1990, which is incorporated herein by reference.)
**10.1(d)   Employment agreement dated August 15, 1991, as amended as of August 15, 1992, and
            as of June 1, 1995 between Gardiner S. Dutton and Bowmar Instrument Corporation.
            (The first two having been previously filed as Exhibit 10.1(ff) to the
            Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30,
            1992, and the last having been filed as Exhibit 5(b) to Form 8-K dated June 26,
            1995, all which are incorporated herein by reference.)
</TABLE>
    
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   3
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER
----------
<C>         <S>
**10.2(a)   Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement covering incentive stock options granted
            under the Corporation's now terminated 1986 Plan, as amended October 23, 1987.
            (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2(c) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
            10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1987, which is incorporated herein
            by reference.)
**10.2(b)   Form of Non-Incentive Stock Option Agreement covering non-incentive stock options
            granted under the Corporation's now terminated 1986 Plan, as amended October 23,
            1987. (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2(c) to the Registrant's Annual Report on
            Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1987, which is incorporated
            herein by reference.)
**10.2(c)   Bowmar Instrument Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors as
            amended February 4, 1994. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit B to the
            Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement, prepared in connection with the 1994
            Annual Meeting of Shareholders.)
**10.2(d)   Non-Incentive Stock Option Agreement dated August 16, 1991, as amended August 15,
            1992, between Bowmar Instrument Corporation and Gardiner S. Dutton. (Previously
            filed as Exhibit 10.1(ff) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
            fiscal year ended September 30, 1992, which is incorporated herein by reference.)
**10.2(e)   1994 Flexible Stock Plan. (Previously filed as Exhibit A to the Registrant's
            definitive Proxy Statement prepared in connection with the 1994 Annual Meeting of
            Shareholders, which is incorporated herein by reference.)
**10.3(a)   Form of Agreement governing awards of restricted stock under the Corporation's
            now terminated Restricted Plan. (Incorporated by reference to the exhibit to
            Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement of Form S-8 (No.
            2-67645).)
  10.4(a)   Loan documents by and between Bank One, Arizona, NA and Bowmar Instrument
            Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Bowmar/ALI, Inc. (Previously filed
            as exhibits 10.4a through 10.4g to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
            for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995 which is incorporated herein by
            reference).
  10.4(b)   Modification Agreement dated April 26, 1996, pursuant to the Loan Agreement dated
            August 28, 1995 by and between Bank One, Arizona, NA and the Registrant.
            (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.4(b) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
            10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 1996, which is incorporated herein
            by reference).
  10.4(c)   Second Modification Agreement dated August 9, 1996, pursuant to the Loan
            Agreement dated August 28, 1995 by and between Bank One, Arizona, NA and the
            Registrant. (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.4(c) to the Registrant's Annual
            Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 1996, which is
            incorporated herein by reference)
  10.4(d)   Third Modification Agreement dated March 28, 1997 pursuant to the Loan Agreement
            dated August 28, 1995 by and between Bank One, Arizona NA and the Registrant.
            (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.4(d) to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
            29, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference).
  10.4(e)   Modification of Mortgage (Massachusetts) dated March 28, 1997 by and between Bank
            One, Arizona NA and the Registrant and its wholly owned subsidiary, Bowmar/ALI.
            (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.4(e) to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
            29, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference).
  10.4(f)   Modification of Mortgage (Indiana) dated March 28, 1997 by and between Bank One,
            Arizona NA and the Registrant. (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.4(f) to the Form
            10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 1997 which is incorporated herein by
            reference).
</TABLE>
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   4
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER
----------
<C>         <S>
  10.4(g)   Revolving Promissory Note (RLT) dated March 28, 1997 by and between Bank One,
            Arizona NA and the Registrant, for up to $1,200,000. (Previously filed as Exhibit
            10.4(g) for the quarter ended March 29, 1997, which is incorporated herein by
            reference).
  10.5      Lease dated February 4, 1997 by and between Bowmar Instrument Corporation as
            tenant and Gus Enterprises-XII, LLC as landlord. (Previously filed as Exhibit
            10.5 to this Form 10-K.)
  11        Computation of Earnings per share (Previously filed as Exhibit 11 to this Form
            10-K.)
  21        Subsidiaries of the Registrant -- The Registrant has one subsidiary, Bowmar/Ali,
            Inc., a Massachusetts Corporation.
 *23        Consent of Accountants.
  27        Financial Data Schedule (Previously filed as Exhibit 27 to this Form 10-K.)
</TABLE>
    
 
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
There are no reports for the quarter ended September 27, 1997.
 
(c) Not applicable.
 
(d) Not applicable.
---------------
 * filed herewith
** management compensatory contract, plan or arrangement
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   5
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION
 
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Bowmar Instrument
Corporation and Subsidiaries as of September 27, 1997 and September 28, 1996,
and for each of the three years in the period ended September 27, 1997, as
listed in Item 14(a) of this Form 10-K. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Bowmar
Instrument Corporation and Subsidiaries as of September 27, 1997 and September
28, 1996, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended September 27, 1997, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          /s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 
Phoenix, Arizona
December 2, 1997 (except for Notes 16 and 17
for which the date is December 19, 1997)
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   6
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                           (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    SEPTEMBER 27,     SEPTEMBER 28,
                                                                        1997              1996
                                                                    -------------     -------------
<S>                                                                 <C>               <C>
                                              ASSETS
Current Assets
  Cash............................................................     $ 1,218           $   108
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $43
     and $136.....................................................       4,476             3,992
  Inventories.....................................................       8,158             6,059
  Prepaid expenses................................................         539               402
  Deferred income taxes...........................................       2,782             1,652
                                                                       -------           -------
  Total Current Assets............................................      17,173            12,213
Property, Plant and Equipment, net................................       2,642             1,122
Deferred Income Taxes.............................................         492             1,524
Other Assets, net.................................................       1,202             1,679
                                                                       -------           -------
          Total Assets............................................     $21,509           $16,538
                                                                       =======           =======
                               LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
  Current portion of long-term debt...............................     $ 1,608           $   556
  Accounts payable................................................       1,987               933
  Accrued salaries and benefits...................................       1,953             1,503
  Other accrued expenses..........................................         503               719
  Reserve for loss on discontinued operation......................       1,300                 0
                                                                       -------           -------
          Total Current Liabilities...............................       7,351             3,711
Long term Debt....................................................       4,546             3,675
Other Long term Liabilities.......................................         339               339
                                                                       -------           -------
  Total Liabilities...............................................      12,236             7,725
                                                                       -------           -------
Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 11)
Shareholders' Equity
  Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, authorized 500,000 shares,
     issued 119,906 and 119,948 shares............................         120               120
  Common stock, $0.10 stated value, authorized 15,000,000 shares,
     issued 6,718,934 and 6,527,675 shares........................         672               653
  Treasury stock, 44,442 shares, at stated value..................          (4)               (4)
Additional paid-in capital........................................       6,609             6,330
Retained earnings.................................................       1,876             1,714
                                                                       -------           -------
  Total Shareholders' Equity......................................       9,273             8,813
                                                                       -------           -------
          Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity..............     $21,509           $16,538
                                                                       =======           =======
</TABLE>
 
                See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   7
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                  (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         FISCAL YEAR
                                                            -------------------------------------
                                                              1997          1996          1995
                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>           <C>
Net sales.................................................  $  22,189     $  18,840     $  18,067
Cost of sales.............................................     13,169        11,002        10,679
                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------
Gross margin..............................................      9,020         7,838         7,388
                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------
Expenses:
  Selling, general and administrative.....................      5,870         5,360         5,224
  Product development.....................................        480           423           362
  Interest expense........................................        416           522           751
  Other expense (income), net.............................        135          (523)         (503)
                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------
  Total expenses..........................................      6,901         5,782         5,834
                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------
Income from continuing operations before income taxes.....      2,119         2,056         1,554
Income tax expense (benefit)..............................        786           784        (2,556)
                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------
Income from continuing operations.........................      1,333         1,272         4,110
                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------
Discontinued operations (Note 16):
  Electromechanical segment
  (Loss) income from operations, net of income tax
  expense (benefit) of ($20), $12, and ($770).............        (31)           18          (207)
  Loss on disposition including provision of $600,000
  for operating losses during the phase-out period,
  net of deferred income tax benefit of $520..............       (780)
                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------
Loss (income) from discontinued operations................       (811)           18          (207)
                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------
Net income................................................  $     522     $   1,290     $   3,903
                                                            =========     =========     =========
Income (loss) per common share-primary:
  Continuing operations...................................  $    0.14     $    0.14     $    0.57
  Discontinued operations.................................      (0.12)         0.00         (0.03)
                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------
Net income per share -- primary...........................  $    0.02     $    0.14     $    0.54
                                                            =========     =========     =========
Income (loss) per common share-fully diluted:
  Continuing operations...................................                              $    0.50
  Discontinued operations.................................                                  (0.02)
                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------
Net income per share -- fully diluted.....................                              $    0.48
                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents:
  Primary.................................................  6,662,285     6,564,987     6,615,241
  Fully diluted...........................................                              8,214,708
                                                            =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>
 
---------------
Note -- In 1997 and 1996 fully diluted net income per share is considered to be
        the same as primary net income per share since the effect of the
        potentially dilutive convertible preferred is antidilutive.
 
                See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   8
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                  (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        ADDITIONAL   RETAINED       TOTAL
                                        PREFERRED   COMMON   TREASURY    PAID-IN     EARNINGS   SHAREHOLDERS'
                                          STOCK     STOCK     STOCK      CAPITAL     (DEFICIT)     EQUITY
                                        ---------   ------   --------   ----------   --------   -------------
<S>                                     <C>         <C>      <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
BALANCE, OCTOBER 1, 1994..............    $ 120      $646      $ (4)      $6,047     $ (2,759)     $ 4,050
                                           ----      ----       ---       ------      -------       ------
Net income............................                                                  3,903        3,903
Issuance of common stock:
  Exercise of options and awards and
     related tax benefits 35,500
     shares...........................                  4                    158                       162
Deferred compensation costs...........                                        40                        40
Payment of preferred dividends........                                                   (360)        (360)
                                           ----      ----       ---       ------      -------       ------
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 1995...........      120       650        (4)       6,245          784        7,795
                                           ----      ----       ---       ------      -------       ------
Net income............................                                                  1,290        1,290
Issuance of common stock:
  Exercise of options and awards and
     related tax benefits 27,800
     shares...........................                  3                     70                        73
Deferred compensation costs...........                                        15                        15
Payment of preferred dividends........                                                   (360)        (360)
                                           ----      ----       ---       ------      -------       ------
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 28, 1996...........      120       653        (4)       6,330        1,714        8,813
                                           ----      ----       ---       ------      -------       ------
Net income............................                                                    522          522
Issuance of common stock:
  Exercise of options and awards and
     related tax benefits 190,700
     shares...........................                 19                    270                       289
Deferred compensation costs...........                                         9                         9
Payment of preferred dividends........                                                   (360)        (360)
                                           ----      ----       ---       ------      -------       ------
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 27, 1997...........    $ 120      $672      $ (4)      $6,609     $  1,876      $ 9,273
                                           ====      ====       ===       ======      =======       ======
</TABLE>
 
                See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   9
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
   
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    
                  (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           FISCAL YEAR
                                                               -----------------------------------
                                                                1997          1996          1995
                                                               -------     -----------     -------
<S>                                                            <C>         <C>             <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income...................................................  $   522       $ 1,290       $ 3,903
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
  operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization...........................      540           496           552
     Amortization of debt issue costs........................        0             0            52
     Reserve for loss from discontinued operations...........    1,300             0             0
     Deferred income tax (benefit) expense...................      (98)          689        (3,526)
     Net changes in balance sheet accounts:
       Accounts receivable...................................     (484)         (110)          952
       Inventories...........................................   (2,099)         (639)         (554)
       Prepaid expenses......................................     (137)           55            21
       Other assets..........................................      462            19           319
       Accounts payable......................................    1,055          (520)          417
       Accrued salaries and benefits.........................      450          (589)          537
       Other accrued expenses................................     (216)         (382)          350
       Other.................................................        0             0            (6)
                                                               -------       -------       -------
Net cash provided by operating activities....................    1,295           309         3,017
                                                               -------       -------       -------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment...................   (1,802)         (365)         (454)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment.........        0           135             5
Net change in other assets...................................        0             0           (41)
                                                               -------       -------       -------
Net cash used in investing activities........................   (1,802)         (230)         (490)
                                                               -------       -------       -------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under (payments on) notes payable.................    2,204         4,200        (1,135)
Retirement of long-term debt.................................     (516)       (4,623)         (602)
Issuance of common stock.....................................      289            73           162
Payment of preferred stock dividends.........................     (360)         (360)         (360)
                                                               -------       -------       -------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities..........    1,617          (710)       (1,935)
                                                               -------       -------       -------
Net change in cash...........................................    1,110          (631)          592
Cash at beginning of year....................................      108           739           147
                                                               -------       -------       -------
Cash at end of year..........................................  $ 1,218       $   108       $   739
                                                               =======       =======       =======
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Net cash paid for interest...................................  $   412       $   511       $   689
Net cash paid for income taxes...............................  $   280       $   139       $   164
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:
  Capital lease agreements...................................  $   235       $     0       $    88
</TABLE>
 
                See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   10
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.  NATURE OF OPERATIONS
 
The Company is a U.S. designer and manufacturer of high density, solid state
memory modules, multichip modules, interface products, and electromechanical
components and packages. The Company's customers include both domestic and
international government contractors and commercial businesses. The majority of
the sales and earnings are generated by the memory and multichip module product
lines.
 
2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  A.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bowmar
  Instrument Corporation and its subsidiary (collectively the "Company"). All
  significant inter-company accounts and transactions are eliminated. Certain
  amounts in prior fiscal years consolidated financial statements have been
  reclassified to conform to current presentation.
 
  B.  FISCAL YEAR-END
 
  The Company's fiscal year-end is the Saturday nearest September 30.
 
  C.  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
  The Company considers all investments with original maturities of three months
  or less to be cash equivalents.
 
  D.  INVENTORIES
 
  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (principally first-in, first-out)
  or market.
 
  E.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
  Property, plant and equipment, including property under capital lease
  agreements, are stated at cost. Depreciation is determined on a straight-line
  basis over the estimated useful lives ranging from 5 to 33 years for buildings
  and improvements and 3 to 10 years for machinery and equipment. Leasehold
  improvements are amortized over the lives of the leases or estimated useful
  lives of the assets, whichever is less. When assets are sold or otherwise
  retired, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the books and
  the resulting gain or loss is included in operating results.
 
  F.  GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
 
  Sales under government contracts are recorded when the units are shipped and
  accepted by the government. Applicable earnings are recorded pro rata based
  upon total estimated earnings at completion of the contracts; projected losses
  are provided for in their entirety when identified.
 
  G.  SALES RECOGNITION
 
  Sales are recognized when the Company's products are shipped. When shipments
  are to distributors, the Company records at the time of shipment commissions
  related to the sales and reserves for estimated returned goods and future
  pricing adjustments.
 
  H.  INCOME TAXES
 
  The Company files a consolidated tax return with its wholly owned subsidiary.
  Temporary differences in the recognition of taxable income for financial
  reporting and income tax purposes relate primarily to the use of
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   11
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  different depreciation methods and useful lives for tax purposes, the
  allowances for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence and the timing of
  reporting bonus expense.
 
  I.  NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
 
  Primary net income per share is computed by deducting preferred dividends from
  net income to determine net income available to common shareholders. This
  amount is then divided by the weighted average number of common shares
  outstanding and Common Stock equivalents. Net income per share assuming full
  dilution is determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number
  of common shares outstanding during the year after giving effect to Common
  Stock equivalents arising from stock options and preferred stock assumed
  converted to Common Stock.
 
  J.  NEWLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
  In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
  Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 Earnings Per Share (FAS 128) which
  specifies the computation, presentation, and disclosure requirements for
  earnings per share (EPS). FAS 128 replaces the presentation of primary and
  fully diluted EPS pursuant to Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 15
  Earnings Per Share (APB 15) with the presentation of basic and diluted EPS.
  Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available
  to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding
  for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur
  if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or
  converted into common stock. The Company is required to adopt FAS 128 with its
  December 28, 1997 financial statements and restate all prior period EPS
  information. The Company will continue to account for EPS under APB 15 until
  that time. The adoption of FAS 128 is not expected to have a significant
  impact on the Company's reported earnings per share.
 
  In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
  130, Reporting Comprehensive Income (SFAS 130), which establishes standards
  for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components. This
  statement requires a separate statement to report the components of
  comprehensive income for each period reported. The provisions of this
  statement are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997.
  Management believes that the Company currently does not have items that would
  require presentation in a separate statement of comprehensive income.
 
  In June 1997, the FASB also issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
  No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information
  (SFAS 131), which establishes standards for the way the public business
  enterprises report information about operating segments in annual financial
  statements and requires that those enterprises report selected information
  about operating segments in interim financial reports issued to shareholders.
  This statement is effective for financial statements for periods beginning
  after December 15, 1997. Management believes this statement may require
  expanded disclosure in the Company's future financial statements.
 
  K.  ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
 
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
  accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
  that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
  contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
  the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period.
  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   12
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
3.  INVENTORIES
 
Inventories consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                SEPTEMBER 27,     SEPTEMBER 28,
                                                                    1997              1996
                                                                -------------     -------------
    <S>                                                         <C>               <C>
    Raw materials.............................................   $ 3,277,000       $ 3,330,000
    Work-in-process...........................................     4,258,000         2,531,000
    Finished goods............................................       623,000           198,000
                                                                  ----------        ----------
    Total Inventories.........................................   $ 8,158,000       $ 6,059,000
                                                                  ==========        ==========
</TABLE>
 
The inventories are net of reserve for excess and obsolete for $978,000 and
$865,000 for fiscal 1997 and 1996 respectively.
 
4.  OTHER ASSETS
 
Other assets include $1,457,000 for certain land and buildings in Acton, MA. and
a reserve of $425,000 for the disposition of the building. The reserve of
$425,000 for the estimated loss on the disposition of the building was included
in other income and expense in fiscal 1997. The property is currently under
contract for sale pending the performance of certain actions by the Company
including environmental testing. The building was leased to the purchasers of
the Bowmar/ALI Military Systems division under an operating lease agreement
which ended February, 1997. Rental income during fiscal years 1997, 1996, and
1995 was $233,000, $572,000 and $552,000, respectively.
 
5.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                SEPTEMBER 27,     SEPTEMBER 28,
                                                                    1997              1996
                                                                -------------     -------------
    <S>                                                         <C>               <C>
    Land......................................................   $   123,000       $   123,000
    Buildings and improvements................................       956,000           935,000
    Machinery and equipment...................................     7,525,000         5,566,000
    Leasehold improvements....................................       316,000           316,000
                                                                  ----------        ----------
    Total, at cost............................................     8,920,000         6,940,000
    Less accumulated depreciation and amortization............     6,278,000         5,818,000
                                                                  ----------        ----------
    Net Property, Plant and Equipment.........................   $ 2,642,000       $ 1,122,000
                                                                  ==========        ==========
</TABLE>
 
At fiscal year-end 1997 and 1996, property, plant and equipment includes
approximately $608,000 and $467,000, respectively, of equipment under leases
that have been capitalized. Accumulated amortization for such equipment
approximated $379,000 and $344,000 for fiscal years 1997 and 1996, respectively.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   13
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
6.  LONG-TERM DEBT
 
Long-term debt consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                SEPTEMBER 27,     SEPTEMBER 28,
                                                                    1997              1996
                                                                -------------     -------------
    <S>                                                         <C>               <C>
    Bank One term loan........................................   $ 3,405,000       $ 3,825,000
    Bank One revolving line of credit.........................     2,331,000                 0
    Industrial revenue bonds..................................       270,000           360,000
    Obligations under capital leases..........................       148,000            46,000
                                                                  ----------        ----------
                                                                   6,154,000         4,231,000
    Less current portion......................................     1,608,000           556,000
                                                                  ----------        ----------
    Total long term debt......................................   $ 4,546,000       $ 3,675,000
                                                                  ==========        ==========
</TABLE>
 
The financing agreement with Bank One provides for a $4.0 million revolving line
of credit which expires February 28, 1999 and bears interest at .5% over the
Bank's prime rate (on September 27, 1997 the loan rate was 9.0%); and a term
loan in the principal amount of $3,405,000 which bears interest at the rate of
1.25% over the bank's prime rate. The term loan's rate on September 27, 1997 was
9.75% with principal payments of $35,000 per month and the balance due on July
31, 2000. The Bank One financing is collateralized by all of the assets of the
Company, subject to the prior lien associated with the industrial revenue bonds
and includes certain restrictions on the Company including a limitation on cash
dividends of $500,000 maximum per year. The agreement also includes certain
other restrictive covenants, the most restrictive of which is currently a debt
coverage ratio of 3 to 1.
 
The availability of cash under the revolving line of credit is based on eligible
accounts receivable and inventories. There is a charge of 1/4 of 1% per month on
the unused portion of the line of credit. The Company entered into the agreement
with Bank One in November 1995 and the proceeds were used to retire convertible
subordinated debentures and certain Foothill Capital Corporation loans.
 
The industrial revenue bonds are payable quarterly through September 30, 2000 at
the rate of $22,500 per quarter, plus interest at the reference rate of the Fort
Wayne National Bank. The interest rate at September 27, 1997 was 6.38%. The
bonds are collateralized by real property in Acton, Massachusetts with a net
book value of $1,032,000 which is included in other assets. At September 27,
1997 the Company was not in compliance with certain covenants related to the
industrial revenue bonds. The sole holder of these bonds has consented to the
Company's noncompliance with these covenants through October 3, 1998, thereby
effectively waiving compliance through that date. The most restrictive covenant
is that no dividends may be paid. These bonds will be retired if the Acton
facility is sold.
 
The aggregate maturities of the above term debt are approximately $1,608,000 in
1998, $1,879,000 in 1999 and $2,667,000 in 2000.
 
The weighted average interest rate on long term debt for fiscal 1997, 1996 and
1995 was approximately 9.9%, 9.9%, and 11.4% respectively.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   14
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
7.  INCOME TAXES
 
The provision (credit) for income taxes on continuing operations consists of the
following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   FISCAL YEAR
                                                        1997          1996            1995
                                                      --------     -----------     -----------
    <S>                                               <C>          <C>             <C>
    Current.........................................  $364,000      $  95,000      $   588,000
    Deferred........................................   422,000        689,000       (3,144,000)
                                                      --------       --------       ----------
    Income tax provision (credit)...................  $786,000      $ 784,000      $(2,556,000)
                                                      ========       ========       ==========
</TABLE>
 
Based on the Company's taxable income in recent years and projecting future
taxable income over the period in which the deferred income tax assets are
deductible, the Company believes that it is more likely than not that it will
realize the benefit of the deferred tax assets. As a result, during fiscal 1995,
the Company recorded a $3.3 million tax credit due to the elimination of the
valuation allowance related to the Company's deferred tax asset. There can be no
assurance, however, that the Company will generate a specific level of continued
earnings.
 
A reconciliation of the (credit) provision for income taxes on continuing
operations between the U.S. statutory and effective rates follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        FISCAL YEAR
                                                              1997         1996          1995
                                                              -----     -----------     ------
    <S>                                                       <C>       <C>             <C>
    Provision at statutory rate.............................   34.0%        34.0%         34.0%
    State taxes, net of federal benefit.....................    4.5          6.4           5.9
    1995 utilization of federal net operating loss
      carryover.............................................                             (34.0)
    Adjustment related to prior years tax returns...........   (1.4)       (2.3)           0.0
    Elimination of valuation allowance for deferred tax
      assets................................................    0.0          0.0        (170.4)
                                                               ----         ----         -----
    Effective Tax Rate......................................   37.1%        38.1%       (164.5)%
                                                               ====         ====         =====
</TABLE>
 
The income tax effect of loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards and
temporary differences between financial and tax reporting give rise to the
deferred income assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes consisted of the
following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                SEPTEMBER 27,     SEPTEMBER 28,
                                                                    1997              1996
                                                                -------------     -------------
    <S>                                                         <C>               <C>
    Current:
      Inventories.............................................       646,000       $   540,000
      Accrued salaries, benefits, interest, expenses and
         reserves.............................................     1,360,000           667,000
      Net operating loss carryforwards........................       776,000           532,000
      Other...................................................             0           (87,000)
                                                                 -----------       -----------
    Subtotal..................................................     2,782,000         1,652,000
    Long Term:
      Depreciation............................................       264,000           303,000
      Net operating loss carryforwards........................        84,000         1,172,000
      Alternative minimum tax credits.........................       144,000           101,000
      Other...................................................             0           (52,000)
                                                                 -----------       -----------
    Subtotal..................................................       492,000         1,524,000
                                                                 -----------       -----------
    Total.....................................................   $ 3,274,000       $ 3,176,000
                                                                 ===========       ===========
</TABLE>
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   15
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1994, the Company became aware of a
potential liability with regard to certain state income taxes for taxable years
1990 through 1994 as a result of a ruling by that state's Supreme Court. There
have been no tax assessments nor has the state audited the Company's tax returns
for those years. The Company recorded an estimated liability of approximately
$176,000 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1994.
 
As of September 27 1997, the Company had federal net operating loss carryovers
for tax purposes of approximately $2,663,000 which expire from 2003 through
2005. Additionally, the Company has an alternative minimum tax credit
carryforward of approximately $144,000.
 
8.  BENEFIT PLANS
 
The Company has a defined benefit pension plan for union employees at its Fort
Wayne, Indiana facility pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. Benefits
are based primarily on a benefits multiplier and years of service. The Company
funds the amount equal to the minimum funding required plus additional amounts
which may be approved by the Company from time to time. Net periodic pension
cost included the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   FISCAL YEAR
                                                      -------------------------------------
                                                        1997          1996          1995
                                                      ---------     ---------     ---------
    <S>                                               <C>           <C>           <C>
    Service cost benefits earned....................  $  84,000     $  71,000     $  69,000
    Interest cost...................................    138,000       135,000       130,000
    Return on plan assets...........................   (384,000)     (110,000)     (132,000)
    Amortization of transition asset................    (10,000)      (10,000)      (10,000)
    Amortization of prior service costs.............     15,000       (17,000)       12,000
    Deferral of gain to future years................    245,000             0             0
                                                      ---------     ---------     ---------
    Total pension cost..............................  $  88,000     $  69,000     $  69,000
                                                      =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>
 
At September 27, 1997, the actuarial present value of accumulated benefit
obligations was $1,954,961 of which $1,915,726 was vested. The vested benefit
obligation is the actuarial present value of the vested benefits to which the
employee would be entitled if the employee separated immediately. Prepaid
pension cost at September 27, 1997 and September 28, 1996, was calculated as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                SEPTEMBER 27,     SEPTEMBER 28,
                                                                    1997              1996
                                                                -------------     -------------
    <S>                                                         <C>               <C>
    Projected benefit obligation..............................   $ 1,955,000       $ 1,920,000
    Market value of plan assets...............................     2,279,000         2,047,000
                                                                  ----------        ----------
    Plan assets over projected benefit obligation.............       324,000           127,000
    Unrecognized transition assets............................       (10,000)          (19,000)
    Unrecognized past service costs...........................        92,000           107,000
    Unrecognized net loss (gain)..............................      (199,000)           72,000
                                                                  ----------        ----------
    Prepaid Pension Cost......................................   $   207,000       $   287,000
                                                                  ==========        ==========
</TABLE>
 
Plan assets primarily consist of investments in mutual funds, corporate bonds
and money market funds. The weighted-average assumed discount rate was 7.5% and
the long-term rate of return on assets was 7.0%.
 
In addition, the Company has an Incentive Savings 401(k) Plan covering non-union
employees of the Company who have completed six months of service. The Company
matches employee contributions equal to 50% of the first 3% of a participant's
wage base. During each of the fiscal years 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company made
contributions to the plan of approximately $64,000, $60,000, and $45,000
respectively.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   16
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
9.  STOCK OPTIONS AND AWARDS
 
The Company has adopted the disclosure only provisions of SFAS No. 123
"Accounting for Stock Based Compensation". Accordingly, since all options are
issued with exercise prices greater than or equal to the market price on the
grant date, no compensation cost has been recognized for the stock option plans.
 
Under the Company's shareholder approved 1994 Flexible Stock Plan, Common Stock
is available for the grant of options, appreciation rights, restricted stock
awards, performance shares and other stock-based awards. The vesting and terms
of the options granted under this plan are determined when awarded by the Board
of Directors. At September 27,1997 there were 189,519 shares available for
future grants to officers and employees at prices not less than the fair value
at the date of grant by the Board of Directors. At fiscal year-end 1997, 504,000
shares from the Company's 1994 plan are under option.
 
During fiscal 1995, the Board of Directors terminated the Company's shareholder
approved 1986 Stock Option Plan. At fiscal year-end 1997, 44,500 shares from the
Company's 1986 Plan remain under option.
 
The Company's shareholder approved Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan for Directors
provides for shares of Common Stock for issuance to directors, at an exercise
price equal to the fair market value on the date of issuance. At fiscal year end
September 27, 1997, there were 82,760 shares available for future grants to the
directors. The options are exercisable as early as six months after date of
grant and expire in ten years. A total of 114,000 options under this
Non-Qualified Plan have been issued to non-employee directors and remain
unexercised at September 27, 1997.
 
Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by
SFAS No. 123, and has been determined as if the Company had accounted for its
stock option plans under the fair value based method of that Statement. The fair
value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes
option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for 1997:
risk free interest rate varied depending on grant date, ranging from 5.72% to
6.69%, no common dividend, volatility factor of the expected market price of the
Company's Common Stock of 65%, and an expected average life of the option of 5.5
years.
 
A summary of the Company's stock option activity and related information is as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               FISCAL YEAR
                                      -------------------------------------------------------------
                                             1997                  1996                 1995
                                      -------------------   ------------------   ------------------
                                                 WEIGHTED             WEIGHTED             WEIGHTED
                                       SHARES    AVERAGE    SHARES    AVERAGE    SHARES    AVERAGE
                                       UNDER     EXERCISE    UNDER    EXERCISE    UNDER    EXERCISE
                                       OPTION     PRICE     OPTION     PRICE     OPTION     PRICE
                                      --------   --------   -------   --------   -------   --------
    <S>                               <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>
    Beginning balance outstanding...   705,200    $ 2.41    582,000    $ 2.52    361,000    $ 1.85
    Granted.........................   373,500      1.98    172,500      2.00    257,000      3.31
    Exercised.......................  (190,700)     1.40    (27,800)     1.42    (35,500)     1.48
    Canceled........................  (225,500)     3.33    (21,500)     3.42       (500)     1.69
    Ending balance outstanding......   662,500    $ 2.14    705,200    $ 2.41    582,000    $ 2.52
                                      ========     =====    =======     =====    =======     =====
    Exercisable at end of year......   402,625    $ 2.18    426,825    $ 2.50    309,250    $ 1.94
                                      ========     =====    =======     =====    =======     =====
    Shares available for future
      grant.........................   272,279               23,530               88,429
                                      ========              =======              =======
</TABLE>
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   17
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options
is amortized to expense over the vesting period of the options. The pro forma
information for 1997 and 1996 follows (in thousands except for per share
information):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            FISCAL YEAR
                                                                          ---------------
                                                                          1997      1996
                                                                          ----     ------
    <S>                                                                   <C>      <C>
    Net income..........................................................  $522     $1,290
    Option compensation expense.........................................   245         47
                                                                          ----     ------
    Pro forma net income................................................  $277     $1,243
                                                                          ====     ======
</TABLE>
 
Had the Company elected to adopt the recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, net
income per share would have been reduced by $.03 and $.01 for fiscal 1997 and
1996 respectively.
 
The following table summarizes additional information about the Company's stock
options outstanding as of September 27, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
                                    ------------------------------------       OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
                                                              WEIGHTED       ------------------------
                                                WEIGHTED       AVERAGE                       WEIGHTED-
                                    SHARES      AVERAGE       REMAINING                      AVERAGE
                                     UNDER      EXERCISE     CONTRACTUAL     EXERCISABLE     EXERCISE
                                    OPTION       PRICE          LIFE           SHARES         PRICE
                                    -------     --------     -----------     -----------     --------
    <S>                             <C>         <C>          <C>             <C>             <C>
    Range of exercise price:
      $1.250 - $2.625.............  630,500      $ 1.99       8.46 years       370,625        $ 2.01
      $3.125 - $3.562.............   32,000      $ 3.38       7.77 years        32,000        $ 3.38
                                    -------       -----       ----------       -------         -----
                                    662,500      $ 2.14       8.43 years       402,625        $ 2.18
                                    =======       =====       ==========       =======         =====
</TABLE>
 
On December 6, 1996, the Board of Directors adopted a program to permit the
repricing of 213,500 options that were granted to officers and employees in 1995
under the Company's 1994 Flexible Stock Plan. The revised exercise price is
$2.00 per share (approximately 25% over the market price on the date of the
repricing) instead of the original exercise prices which ranged from $3.125 to
$3.375 per share. In the above table these options are shown as being canceled
and new options granted.
 
During fiscal 1995, the Board of Directors terminated the Company's Restricted
Stock Award Plan under which shares of the Company's Common Stock were available
to certain officers and employees without the payment of consideration. The cost
of such awards at the date of grant was considered to be compensation and was
expensed over the vesting period. Amounts charged to expense in fiscal years
1997, 1996, and 1995, net of forfeitures, were $8,700, $15,000, and $40,000,
respectively. At September 27, 1997, all of the shares previously awarded were
unrestricted.
 
10.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
The financial position of the Company at September 27, 1997, includes certain
financial instruments which may have a fair value that is different from the
value currently reflected on the financial statements. The following methods and
assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial
instruments for which it is practical to estimate that value.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
      Cash is invested in overnight securities, therefore the fair value is
      equal to the carrying amount.
Long Term Debt
      The carrying amount of long term debt is a reasonable estimate of fair
      value as the stated rates of interest approximate current market rates.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   18
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
11.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
The Company leases certain property and equipment under noncancelable lease
agreements some of which include renewal options of up to five years. Total rent
expense for 1997, 1996, and 1995 was $376,000, $356,000, and $399,000
respectively. Future minimum annual fixed rentals required under noncancelable
operating leases having an original term of more than one year are $651,000 in
1998, $636,000 in 1999, $543,000 in 2000, $520,000 in 2001, $458,000 in 2002,
and $2,431,000 thereafter.
 
On April 25, 1996 the U.S. Attorney's Office for the State of Arizona undertook
an investigation of certain aspects of White Microelectronics contracts with
prime contractors with the Federal government. The investigation is centering on
the interpretation of certain government contract specified testing requirements
on incoming material. The Company is cooperating fully with the investigation.
Management believes a potential prosecution is remote.
 
12.  PREFERRED STOCK
 
Preferred shareholders vote equally with common shareholders. Each share of
preferred stock has one vote, is convertible into 13.33 shares of the Company's
Common Stock (stated value $0.10 per share), and pays annual dividends totaling
$3.00, payable quarterly on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of
each year. The preferred stock is redeemable at the option of the Company at
$25.00 per share on and after January 1, 1998, and is not subject to mandatory
redemption.
 
13.  CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
 
The Company sells its products primarily to the defense and commercial
industries in the United States. In fiscal 1997, no customer sales accounted for
10% or more of the Company's sales. The Company performs ongoing credit
evaluations of its customers' financial condition and, generally, requires no
collateral from its customers. At certain times throughout the year the Company
may maintain certain bank accounts in excess of the FDIC insured limits. As of
September 27, 1997 and September 28, 1996, there was $949,000 and $0 of
uninsured cash respectively.
 
14.  DISPOSITIONS
 
The Company sold a certain stock investment in February, 1997. This transaction
resulted in a gain of approximately $91,000 which was recorded in other income.
 
The Company sold the production equipment and tooling used in the ordnance
product line in May, 1996. Additionally, in June, 1996, the Company sold the
inventory, production equipment, test equipment and drawings that pertained to
the rapid heat transfer sterilizer product line. These transactions resulted in
a combined gain of approximately $90,000 which was recorded as other income.
Both product lines were a part of electromechanical segment sales. The combined
net sales were $1,038,000, $2,150,000, and $448,000 and the combined operating
losses were $83,000, $991,000 and $11,000 in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994
respectively.
 
15.  SHAREHOLDERS RIGHTS PLAN
 
On December 6, 1996, the Board of Directors adopted a shareholder rights plan to
protect shareholders against unsolicited attempts to acquire control of the
Company which do not offer what the Company believes to be an adequate price for
all shareholders. To implement the plan, the Board declared a dividend of one
common share purchase right (a "Right" or "Rights") for each outstanding share
of the Corporation's Common Stock and entered into a rights agreement with
American Stock Trust and Transfer, as Rights Agents (the "Rights Agreement"). If
and when the Rights become exercisable, each Right will entitle the registered
holder to purchase from the Company one share of Common Stock of the Company at
a purchase
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   19
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
price of $20.00 (subject to adjustment pursuant to certain anti-dilution
provisions) (the "Purchase Price"). The terms of the rights are set forth in the
Rights Agreements.
 
Separate certificates representing the Rights will be distributed only upon an
event triggering a distribution. Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, if a person
or group (an "Acquiring Person") acquires 15% or more of the Company's
outstanding voting stock or announces a tender or exchange offer that would
result in the ownership by the Acquiring Person of 15% or more of the
outstanding voting stock, the Rights certificates will be distributed and each
holder of the rights (other than the Acquiring Person) may either exercise the
Rights to acquire Common Stock of the Company at the then Purchase Price or
convert the Rights into that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the
Purchase Price times the number of Rights held by the holder divided by 50% of
the then current market price of the Common Stock.
 
In the event that the Company is acquired in a merger or other transaction where
it is not the surviving corporation or where all or part of its Common Stock is
exchanged for securities, cash or property of another person, or in the event
that 50% or more of the Company's assets are sold, proper provision will be made
so that each holder of the right (other than the Acquiring Person) will have the
right to receive, upon exercise thereof, that number of shares of common stock
of the acquiring corporation which at the time of such transaction will have a
market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. Similarly, in the
event that a person acquires 15% or more of the outstanding Common Stock of the
Company, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right (other
than the Acquiring Person) will thereafter have the right to receive upon
exercise that number of shares of Common Stock of the Company having a market
value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
 
The Rights Agreement also contains an exchange option. At any time after a
person becomes an Acquiring Person, and prior to the acquisition by such
Acquiring Person of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company,
the Board of Directors may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by the
Acquiring Person, which Rights shall become void), in whole or in part, at an
exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock per Right.
 
Finally, the Rights are subject to redemption. At any time prior to the tenth
calendar day following the date of a public announcement that a person or group
has become an Acquiring Person, the Board of Directors of the Company may redeem
the Rights in whole, but not part, at a price of $.01 per Right.
 
The terms of the Rights may be amended by the Board of Directors without the
consent of the holders of the Rights, except that from and after such time as
any person becomes an Acquiring Person, no such amendment may adversely affect
the interests of the holders of the Rights. Until a Right is exercised, the
holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a shareholder of the Company,
including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends. The
Rights cannot be bought, sold or otherwise traded separately from the Common
Stock. Certificates for Common Stock issued after the date of the Rights
Agreement carry a notation that indicates the Rights are attached. The Rights
will expire on December 5, 2006 unless extended or unless the Rights are earlier
redeemed by the Company.
 
16.  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
In December, 1997 the Board of Directors decided to sell its Technologies
division. This operation is reflected as discontinued operations for all periods
presented in the Company's Statement of Income. During 1997, the Company
recorded a reserve of $1,300,000 for estimated future operating losses of the
Technologies division, and the estimated costs and losses associated with the
disposition.
 
While the estimated net loss is based on management analysis it is difficult to
estimate what the Company may ultimately realize on the sale of this division.
Therefore, what the Company could eventually realize may differ materially in
the near term from the amounts assumed in arriving at the estimated net loss.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   20
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
The historical statements of operations have been adjusted to show the results
of the discontinued operations separately.
 
The following table reflects the results of the discontinued operation for the
periods presented in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    FISCAL YEAR
                 TECHNOLOGIES DIVISION               -----------------------------------------
                   OPERATING RESULTS                    1997           1996            1995
    -----------------------------------------------  ----------     -----------     ----------
    <S>                                              <C>            <C>             <C>
    Net sales......................................  $5,631,000     $ 6,477,000     $8,802,000
    Gross margin...................................  $1,682,000     $ 1,692,000     $2,176,000
    Product development............................  $  130,000     $   157,000     $  450,000
                                                     ----------      ----------     ----------
    Operating expenses.............................  $1,602,000     $ 1,505,000     $2,703,000
                                                     ==========      ==========     ==========
</TABLE>
 
The components of net assets of discontinued operations included in the
Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 27, 1997 and September 28,
1996 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                SEPTEMBER 27,     SEPTEMBER 28,
                      TECHNOLOGIES DIVISION                         1997              1996
    ----------------------------------------------------------  -------------     -------------
    <S>                                                         <C>               <C>
    Receivables, net..........................................   $ 1,089,000       $   932,000
    Inventories...............................................     1,958,000           841,000
    Other current assets......................................       385,000           361,000
    Property and equipment
    Intangible and other assets (net).........................       700,000           640,000
    Accounts payable and other current liabilities............      (694,000)         (593,000)
    Long-term debt............................................       (41,000)                0
                                                                  ----------        ----------
    Net Assets................................................   $ 3,397,000       $ 2,181,000
                                                                  ==========        ==========
</TABLE>
 
17.  CLOSURE OF THE CORPORATE OFFICE
 
As a result of the divestiture of the Technologies division, it was decided that
there was no continuing need for the Company's corporate office. Therefore, the
corporate office will be eliminated in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 which
will result in an estimated charge in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 of
$340,000 for severance and other closing costs.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   21
 
                  BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
18.  INTERIM FINANCIAL RESULTS (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 FISCAL 1997                                FISCAL 1996
                                           -------------------------------------------------------       ------------------
                                           DEC. 30     MAR. 29     JUN. 28     SEP. 27      YEAR         DEC. 30    MAR. 30
                                           -------     -------     -------     -------     -------       -------    -------
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<S>                                        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>
Net sales...............................   $5,036      $5,577      $5,752      $5,824      $22,189       $4,797     $4,851
Gross margin............................   $2,072      $2,266      $2,309      $2,373      $ 9,020       $1,922     $2,056
Income from continuing operations before
  income taxes..........................   $  624      $  733      $  631      $  131      $ 2,119       $  539     $  493
Income from continuing operations.......   $  383      $  450      $  387      $  112      $ 1,333       $  334     $  305
Discontinued operations (Note 16)
  Technologies Division
    Income (loss) from operations, net
      of tax............................   $   46      $  (52)     $  (36)     $   11      $   (31)      $ (130)    $    3
    Loss on disposition net of deferred
      income tax credit of $520(a)......                                       $ (780)     $  (780)
Income (loss) from discontinued
  operations............................   $   46      $  (52)     $  (36)     $ (769)     $  (811)      $ (130)    $    3
NET INCOME..............................   $  429      $  398      $  351      $ (657)     $   522       $  204     $  308
Net income per share -- primary(b)......   $ 0.05      $ 0.05      $ 0.04      $(0.12)     $  0.02       $ 0.02     $ 0.03
Common stock market price:(c)
  High..................................        1 3/4       2 3/16      2 15/16      2 13/16                  3          215/16
  Low...................................        1 3/4       1 5/8       1 13/16      2 1/4                    2 1/4      23/16
Preferred market price:(c)
  High..................................       32          34          40          39 1/2                    41         373/4
  Low...................................       28 5/8      30 1/2      31 1/2      37                        33         34
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                          JUN. 29       SEP. 28        YEAR
                                          -------       -------      --------
 
<S>                                        <<C>         <C>          <C>
Net sales...............................  $4,042        $5,150       $ 18,840
Gross margin............................  $1,781        $2,079       $  7,838
Income from continuing operations before
  income taxes..........................  $  471        $  553       $  2,056
Income from continuing operations.......  $  291        $  342       $  1,272
Discontinued operations (Note 16)
  Technologies Division
    Income (loss) from operations, net
      of tax............................  $   37        $  108       $     18
    Loss on disposition net of deferred
      income tax credit of $520(a)......
Income (loss) from discontinued
  operations............................  $   37        $  108       $     18
NET INCOME..............................  $  329        $  450       $  1,290
Net income per share -- primary(b)......  $ 0.04        $ 0.05       $   0.14
Common stock market price:(c)
  High..................................       2 11/16       2 1/16
  Low...................................       1 7/8         1 1/2
Preferred market price:(c)
  High..................................      36 1/2        33 1/2
  Low...................................      30            28 5/8
</TABLE>
 
---------------
(a) Discontinued operations loss on disposition includes a provision of $600,000
    for losses during the phase-out period.
 
(b) Fully diluted net income per share is considered to be the same as primary
    net income per share since the effect of the potentially dilutive
    convertible preferred stock is currently antidilutive.
 
(c) Both common and preferred shares are traded on the American Stock Exchange.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   22
 
   
                                   SIGNATURES
    
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
                                          BOWMAR INSTRUMENT CORPORATION
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
 
Date: January 8, 1998                             /s/ JOSEPH G. WARREN, JR.
      ---------------------------------------     --------------------------------------------
                                                  Joseph G. Warren, Jr.
                                                  Vice President Finance, Secretary
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       22