Multi-aperture Sensors for High Speed Weapon Applications

The U.S. Air Force has a need to develop a new forward looking infrared imaging system that can actively mitigate thermal loading associated with munitions flight speeds greater than Mach 5.Excessive thermal loading causes the viewing domes to emit a high background radiance, which saturates the sensor and reduces the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) below the level required for reliable targeting, guidance, navigation, and situational awareness.During this project the Spectral Imaging Laboratory (SPILAB) will build and test a prototype Bio-Inspired Optical System (BIOS) that can generate contiguous images in the LWIR.The BIOS will be capable of forward viewing through the windows of a high speed seeker.