Development of a Compact Fabry Perot Etalon for use in an LWIR HSI Payload for Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS)

Physical Science Inc. (PSI) will miniaturize our existing, commercially available, tunable filter module (TFM) technology to develop a long wave infrared (LWIR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) payload that is compatible with Common Launch Tube deployed small-unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS). The proposed TFM, coupled with a small, inexpensive microbolometer, will enable staring-mode HSI data acquisition without the need for cooperative motion of the SUAS. The innovative approach is spectrally agile and enables the acquisition of wavelengths that have been strategically selected to match the spectral content for targets of interest. The basis of the proposed technology stems from PSI’s patented Adaptive Infrared Imaging Spectroradiometer (AIRIS™, US Patent 5,461,477). The Phase II program will integrate the new TFM hardware, microbolometer, and supporting hardware into a 5” payload that is designed for the SUAS Tactical Agile Gimbal (STAG) platform. Phase II developmental testing will demonstrate detection of manmade targets with the HSI payload operated from the ground. Air Force stakeholders that will benefit from the proposed technology include the Tactical Off Board Sensing (TOBS) and Predator/Reaper Off-Board Sensing & Integrated Targeting (PROSIT) programs. The proposed technology is directly related to the C-SWaP EO/IR intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) Sensor Technology 20.3 Missions Focus Area.