Reduced Size, Weight, and Power, Enhanced Range Electro-Optical and Infrared Sensor Suites

The size, weight, and power (SWaP) of mission systems on fixed-wing Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms directly impacts the range and endurance of those platforms. Likewise, miniaturized components in a given system enable increased mission flexibility through more capabilities for a given SWaP. One solution to increase range and enhance resolution on ISR platforms is to miniaturize, repackage and rearrange internal components of current 20 inch turrets in a 15 inch form factor turret. Another approach is to replace 15 inch sensor components (arrays, sensor materials, integrated electronics, etc.) with emerging technologies that have enhanced properties or remove the need for other components. A third approach may include adding components, or processing capability, that increases resolution/interpretability. Proposers should consider these possible solutions and all other solutions to determine what is in the art of the possible. (The current 15 inch and 20 inch sensor capabilities are described in the two links referenced below). Range and resolution enhancements are not limited to optics alone. They can also be achieved through innovative technology development in other areas. Examples include: electronics, mechanical gimbals, innovative hardware layouts, and real-time post-processing for image enhancement and compression/transmission.