SBIR/STTR Award attributes
A need exists to provide the warfighter with the capability to detect and locate adversaries and their weapons. The use of range-gated LWIR imaging just out of band of traditional LWIR systems offers the promise of long stand-off large area detection and the ability to develop a range to the targets in one imaging step. Such a technology will not be significantly hampered by degraded visual environments where traditional passive and active imaging technology cannot penetrate the level of battlefield obscurants encountered. LWIR range gated imaging can offer the obscurant penetration benefits of LWIR with the benefits of active imaging to provide enhanced photon signal levels when the obscurants are too thick for natural levels of LWIR energy to penetrate. The range gating enables back scatter from the short-pulsed LWIR laser illuminator to be effectively blocked and provides a range gate to the object of interest. Among the many benefits of such a system, the range-gated imager can function in both active and passive image mode and enable combat vehicles to operate effectively in lower visibility conditions than previously possible. In Phase I, Attollo demonstrated exceptional range-gating in their SWIR and LWIR sensor. In Phase II, they will fully develop this technology in the LWIR band and demonstrate an active LWIR system that works out to substantial ranges.
