25 Jul 2001
BAE Systems has developed an uncooled thermal imaging camera offering world leading, high resolution performance previously only achievable using high cost cryogenic-cooled technology. The thermal imaging camera can be fitted with a number of lens options, providing different fields of view and detection ranges, which enables its use for night flying and vehicle driving aids, wide area surveillance, law enforcement, search and rescue and other applications.
Based on a very large 15.5 x 11.5mm focal plane array, the new uncooled thermal imager uses microscan techniques to produce an image of 768 x 576mm display pixels, equivalent to a full TV broadcast quality black and white picture. The camera is able to detect temperature differences as small as 0.1C, providing clear vision in total darkness and through smoke.
By operating at ambient temperatures, the new uncooled thermal imaging camera is both compact and lightweight - less than half the size and weight of equivalent cryogenically cooled cameras. Its low power consumption enables it to operate for extended periods from a single set of batteries.
BAE Systems Avionics, Tactical Systems Division manufactures a wide range of thermal imaging equipment for both civil and military applications throughout the world.
