HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGER FOR INFRARED REOMOTE SENSING

The Air Force needs a long range infrared imaging sensor suitable for tactical and reconnaissance applications in day and night. Ion Optics, Inc. has recently developed a hyperspectral infrared imaging system for use in detection chemical and biological warfare (CBW) agents. We propose to adapt the existing design to the identification of concealed, camouflaged, and deception (CC&D) targets. The resulting system would provide a finely resolved image of the subject which would be viewed through an infrared filter (etalon) whose bandpass can be electronically controlled. This unique capability would enable real time identification of CC&D targets by their infrared signatures regardless of their cloaking in the visible spectrum. And as the original system was designed for use in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) it is lightweight, portable, and draws minimal power.