Goodrich Corporation
has been awarded a contract from the US Army's Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate to design, develop and deliver an indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) technology for use in high-definition, infrared night vision cameras. Financial details of the contract have not been released.
According to Goodrich the contract, announced at Asian Aerospace 2006, will further the development of high-resolution, high sensitivity, dual-wavelength cameras that can simultaneously produce images in visible and shortwave infrared (SWIR) wavelengths. This will allow users to capture images in darker conditions using a new wavelength band and will enable backward compatibility with older imaging technologies.
Goodrich's SWIR team says it is focusing its research and development on a design which minimises the weight and size of an optical assembly for long-range imaging. The new device will feature a higher resolution than is currently available in a small array, higher sensitivity in dark or low light conditions and a potential to lower cost per unit.
The resulting camera will have the potential for both civil and defence operations. Applications include covert surveillance, spectroscopy or spectra analysis and hot end process inspection, a process employed by glass and metal manufacturers to increase production capabilities and yields.
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