5-Inch Gimbal Payload with a Compact Interferometric LWIR HSI Sensor and Microbolometer Imager

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) will develop a 5” gimbal payload equipped with broadband thermal imaging (TI) and a compact interferometric based long wave infrared (LWIR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) sensor for deployment on a common Launch Tube-deployed Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS). The proposed sensor will enable staring-mode operation and flexible revisits without the need for cooperative motion of the SUAS. The innovative approach is spectrally agile, enabling the acquisition of predefined wavelengths that have been intelligently selected to match the spectral content for targets of interest. The spectral resolution of the proposed interferometric solution is independent of the size of the sensor and provides an opportunity to achieve high spectral resolution in a compact size. Preliminary modeling projects that the proposed sensor meets the Air Force requirements for an LWIR HSI 5” payload for tactical off-board sensing while achieving 0.1 µm spectral resolution from 7.5-11 µm and a noise equivalent spectral radiance of 30 µW/(cm2·str·µm). The Phase I effort will develop a breadboard sensor to validate a system model. Requirements and a preliminary design for a Phase II payload prototype will be generated.