AVIATION & AEROSPACE WHITE PAPERS AND CASE STUDIES

Validating Thermal Protection Before A Space-Shot Launch
Neil Tewksbury and his team at the University of Southern California Rocket Propulsion Lab want to blast a rocket into space. As part of an unofficial space race among international universities, Tewksbury and his team don’t just want to be the first team to successfully launch; they want to reach an altitude of 100 km (330,000 ft) above sea level with a rocket made up completely of components that they manufacture themselves. They only...  Continue Reading..
FLIR Thermal Imaging Cameras Monitor Stress Levels Of Helicopter Pilots
Helicopter manufacturer Leonardo wanted a reliable, objective way to measure the stress pilots experience in order to design more functional cockpits and offer more efficient training. High-end thermal cameras monitored pilots during flight simulations to see which procedures and operations caused stress.  Continue Reading..
Optical Components for SWIR Imaging
Optical Components For SWIR Imaging
This application note provides information on the benefits of SWIR imaging in harsh or low-light conditions and PG&O's capabilities in manufacturing optical components for SWIR imaging.  Continue Reading..
Virtual Engineering Lab Using Photron High-Speed Cameras For Aviation Research
Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) is using high-speed digital cameras, manufactured by Photron, in their Virtual Engineering Laboratory in a variety of testing modes such as high-impact dynamic events.  Continue Reading..
Radiometric Temperature Measurements: Surface Characteristics And Atmospheric Compensation
Radiometric temperature measurements are made with radiometric thermal cameras. This white paper discusses this non-contact, non-destructive technique (NDT) that offers advantages for many surface temperature measurement applications, as well as unmanned aerial systems (UAS).  Continue Reading..

AVIATION & AEROSPACE PRODUCTS

The Hawk Blue is a cooled HD Camera offering back-illuminated EMCCD technology, enabling ultimate sensitivity imaging (<50μlux) and  high QE of 65% at 254nm.

Raptor has some unique Space Heritage, with cameras flying as optical payloads on several live LEO Cubesat missions for Earth Observation as well as ground based stations.

The LE/LSE Series from Sensors Unlimited comprises InGaAs linear photodiode arrays and can be used in many commercial applications, as well as industrial process control. Additional applications include inspection in agricultural sorting, biomedical analysis, thermal imaging, and NIR molecular spectroscopy.

Sensors Unlimited’s Multi-Mode Micro-SWIR 640CSX video camera is ideal for laboratory, factory, military, and other applications requiring SWIR imaging and detection/decoding of NIR/SWIR pulsed lasers. The camera enables rapid identification of common battlefield targeting lasers, including those with covert eye-safe laser wavelengths. Lightweight and compact, the 640CSX MMT allows its user to view images despite haze, dust, and smoke while reducing fratricide and collateral damage.

Ophir Optics group develops and delivers a wide range of IR complex lens assemblies with fixed, motorized focus, and zoom lenses to support UAV MWIR and LWIR imaging. These optics are designed to optimize the specific size, weight and power (SWAP) constraints of the UAV payload platforms for military, security and emerging UAV applications.

BaySpec’s OCI-M is a multispectral imager designed for aerial imaging in precision agriculture, remote sensing, security, material detection, and geological survey. The aerial imager has 8 selective bands covering the range from 400-1000 nm.

Princeton Infrared Technologies offers the 1280SCICAM lattice-matched InGaAs camera designed for excellent SWIR and visible imaging 1280 x 1024 resolution at high frame rates greater than 95 fps at full frame size. The small pitch array at 12 μm, combined with the high quantum efficiency of the lattice-matched InGaAs arrays enables excellent imaging in the SWIR and visible band.

The GEM III is a multifunctional night vision device with a wide variety of configurations for an array of cameras, camcorders, lenses, and scopes for covert surveillance operations. This device is capable of true night vision in the world of still and full-motion digital image capture, and is able to change between configurations in a short amount of time without the use of tools.

AVIATION & AEROSPACE NEWS

  • Fifty years ago, LASER 73 brought together about 100 exhibitors to marvel at all photonics had to offer. Now, tens of thousands are flocking to Munich to attend LASER World of PHOTONICS, one of photonics’ leading trade fairs.

  • ​The Advancing Photonics Technologies collaboration is one of more than 40 teams across the nation selected to receive one of the first-ever NSF Engines Development Awards, which provide up to two years of funding toward the planning of a multistate initiative to create economic, societal, and technological opportunities for their regions.

  • Lasers are used in many ways across nearly every industry. Here, we take a look at how they are being used by the military and in LEO, as well as future use in medical electronics.

  • Currently, data collected by JWST will have a proprietary period of one year before it can be widely shared. But some scientists are pushing for immediate open access to data, claiming it could save lives, inform critical policymaking, and drive more equitable outcomes.

  • Over the past 68 years, SPIE has been connecting, engaging, and serving its global constituency of more than 258,000 people from 184 countries. A big part of meeting that mission is accomplished by hosting conferences and exhibitions and, at the end of the month, SPIE will be hosting a big one: The Defense + Commercial Sensing conference and exhibition.

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