Techniques for Missile Defense

Several new innovative technologies in Focal Plane Array (FPA) and hyperspectral imaging provide powerful new tools for missile defense applications. For example, during boost phase engagements of a missile, the bright signal from the plume can mask thehard body. Use of a dual color focal plane array (FPA) can improve the aim point selection process allowing MWIR to view the plume, and LWIR to view the hard body. Adding hyperspectral imaging and adaptive tuned spectral filtering to the seeker cansignificantly improve the process. The smart use of spectral information can improve signal to noise and allow algorithms that more accurately target the warhead. During the engagement all phases including detect, track, aim point selection and killassessment can be improved by looking in different portions of the infrared spectra.The "state-of-the-art" in focal plane array technology and diffractive optics now allows such an adaptive tunable spectral seeker to be made using a single dual band FPA and a single optical element. This technology lends itself to easy upgrade of exitingsystems, and provides a powerful tool for application in new seekers and missile defense systems. This technology can be applied to DoD applications for improved missile systems, seekers and also sensors for chemical/biological agent detection. In the commercial market it can be used for law enforcement, gas leak detection, environmental emissionmonitoring.