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LWIR Grating Spectrometer for Threat Warning

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA8650-09-M-1543
Agency Tracking Number: F083-142-0409
Amount: $99,887.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF083-142
Solicitation Number: 2008.3
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2008
Award Year: 2009
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2008-12-10
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2009-09-30
Small Business Information
461 Boston Street
Topsfield, MA 01983
United States
DUNS: 038336723
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Craig Schwarze
 Senior Systems Engineer
 (978) 887-6600
 cschwarze@optra.com
Business Contact
 James Engel
Title: President
Phone: (978) 887-6600
Email: jengel@optra.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

OPTRA proposes the development of a hyperspectral imager based on a grating spectrometer operating in the long-wave infrared region in response to the Air Force’s need for an energetic event sensor. The grating multiplexes the use of an imaging array to enable rapid and simultaneous collection of both spatial and spectral information about the event. The spatial information is used to ascertain the location of the event, while the spectral information will be used to distinguish between events of interest and false alarms by exploiting explosive and propellant spectral signatures. The proposed technology is compact, contains no moving parts, and provides rapid spatial and constituent information of energetic events, thereby making it an ideal solution to the needs of the Air Force. The Phase I will produce an analytical model predicting the performance of the system as well as requirements and a conceptual design for a prototype system to be built during the Phase II. BENEFIT: In addition to applications in all branches of the armed forces, the proposed technology could also be used by homeland security and civilian police forces. The threat warning sensor could be used to autonomously monitor high value targets or high crime areas, as well as provide situational awareness in hostage situations.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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