BAE SYSTEMS To Advance Uncooled IR Production
09 Dec 2003
BAE Systems has been awarded a three-year, $4.5 million contract by the Department of the Interior for the U. S. Army to improve producibility and lower the cost of advanced MicroIR™ infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs).
BAE Systems IR Imaging Systems (IRIS) was the first to develop and demonstrate a small pixel, uncooled, infrared camera, making television like imagery possible. The camera has more than three hundred thousand pixels. Under this contract, IRIS will improve the producibility and reduce the manufacturing cost of the FPAs by a factor of eight.
"Uncooled technology, with its recently demonstrated high sensitivity and resolution capabilities, has now achieved the performance level needed for tens of thousands of military sensors that will be built in the next several years," said Dr. Matt Dovidio, IRIS program manager.
Applications for the sensors span a broad spectrum, including soldier weapon sights, air and wheeled vehicle mounted sensor packages, surveillance cameras, ultra low cost missile seekers, and first responders imaging cameras. The uncooled technology is already replacing cooled IR detectors in many applications, including the new Precision Guidance Set (PGS) Sensor for the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). The move to uncooled technology provides military users with high sensitivity sensors in a lower cost, more reliable package.
With the funding on this program and BAE Systems capital investment, the company will develop the capability to produce state-of-the-art, high resolution, affordable uncooled cameras.
"This is an excellent example of BAE Systems working in partnership with the Government to prepare for the anticipated needs of the warfighter," said Dr. Dovidio. Demonstration of the cameras on several different Army platforms, production of large quantities of FPAs, and the reduction of the current FPA cost will measure success on the program.
The IRIS facility, located in Lexington, Mass., is part of BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS), headquartered at Nashua, New Hampshire.
About BAE SYSTEMS:
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defense systems.
BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company employs more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 12 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.
BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 25,000 people who live and work in some 30 states, the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom. The company is dedicated to solving its customers' needs with highly innovative and leading edge solutions across the defense electronics, systems, information technology, and services arenas.
BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems employs 5,700 people at ten major facilities in eight states. The business unit is a major producer of aircraft self-protection systems and tactical surveillance and intelligence systems for all branches of the armed forces. Other major business areas include microwave, mission and space electronics; infrared imaging; and automated mission planning systems.
BAE Systems, innovating for a safer world.
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