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Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a research program from the U.S. Air Force Research lab to 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 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 interferometric solution is independent of the size of the sensor and provides an opportunity to achieve high spectral resolution in a compact size

Anticipated benefits include improved hyperspectral imaging optimized for target detection and tracking in the LWIR, with dramatically reduced system size, weight, and power over grating based HSIs. Benefits of the architecture include compact optical elements, fine spectral resolution, and excellent sensitivity across the LWIR spectrum. Applications include small-unmanned aircraft system-based target detection and tracking for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for battlefield situational awareness, weapons crew targeting, and climate monitoring.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Julia Dupuis
Vice President, Tactical Systems
jdupuis@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003