Affordable Multi-Color IR Detectors for Navy Fuses

Current Navy infrared proximity fuses use single band MWIR detectors to provide an affordable, reliable, and compact fuse which is effective against high-signature plume-dominated powered targets. However, the current fuse is ineffective against unpowered air targets whose signature is dominated by warm body thermal emission. Atlantic Aerospace, a leader in areas of signal processing and multi-spectral infrared phenomenology, has teamed with OptoElectronics, the current manufacturer of the current Mk 404 IR fuse detector assembly, to develop an improved IR fuse under this SBIR. By developing and using a multi-color detector configuration coupled with a low-cost advanced real-time signal processor (currently being developed by Atlantic Aerospace under a Navy-funded program)-, this program will extend the capability of advanced munitions against low-signature powered and unpowered air targets. The proposed Multicolor IR Proximity Fuse will also be superior for rejecting countermeasure flares and solar glints. In Phase I, we will complete a feasibility study for an upgraded multicolor IR proximity fuse detector assembly, capable of being prototyped under Phase II and tested using the signal processor that will be delivered -to NSWC under an existing SBIR Phase II contract.