Polarimetric Sensor for UAS

Polaris Sensor Technologies, Inc. (PST) proposes to integrate PSTs Pyxis long wave infrared (LWIR) camera, a small lightweight LWIR imaging polarimetric sensor, onto a widely deployed Group 1 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).The Pyxis LWIR camera provides both thermal and polarimetric sensing capability for improved day/night targeting.The primary motivation to upgrade sensing capability to the UAS is to increase probability of kill as part of ongoing development of platforms and payloads for Army UAS programs.The proposed effort matures and adapts PSTs Pyxis polarimetric imager, which provides enhanced contrast and target detection performance through polarization sensing.The Pyxis imager will enhance operator situational awareness, improve target detection, tracking, and identification for ground and air targets, and increase probability of kill, all of which contribute to warfighter safety and effectiveness.The same technology will also improve performance for the emerging and critical need to counter unmanned aerial systems.