"Our new FRAs will enable users to take either of two paths," says Victor Taber, vice president, business development. "They can obtain the same or slightly better performance in a smaller package. For instance, a camera that has a 4" x 4" image area can be scaled down to a 2" x 2", with corresponding savings in size, weight and cost."

Or, by employing arrays in a the same size envelope, users can realize significant improvements in performance and resolution, because with the smaller pixel there will be a much sharper edge, and therefore, a much better-defined target. Taber points out that this new array is a candidate to replace IR sensors in cameras with 20-micron to 25-micron pixels or in other applications where IR sensors are in use today, which includes air-to-ground applications, such as helicopters and targeting pods, as well as in various ground–to-ground applications.

The new technology also enables raising the operating temperature of the FPA from the industry standard of 77 ºK to 120 ºK, thereby making possible a significant reduction in the cooling power needed to operate a focal plane array and also contribute to a reduction in weight and power consumption.

With headquarters in Parsippany, NJ, DRS Technologies is a leading supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and prime contractors worldwide.

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