Lightweight Longwave Bolometer Sensor Components

Thermal longwave infrared (LWIR) capabilities are crucial to many Army applications. Size, power, and especially weight is of paramount importance for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Limited as they are by these payload constraints, such sensors often underperform and are not able to take advantage of higher performance embedded hardware necessary for autonomy or other missions. optX will be focused on developing the lowest weight, maximum range performance optics approach for optimizing the size and weight of small pixel uncooled LWIR imaging systems.  A comprehensive design study of different optical design solutions is planned with a primary emphasis on meeting the weight goals to enable future sensor modules (including the lens) to achieve the goal of a 5 -10gram overall weight.  A key aspect of this is finding optical solutions that can meet both meet the weight goal and provide a focal length/FOV of operational significance.