Infrared Technologies for Defence Systems

Abstract

 Infrared technology has seen phenomenal growth since its inception during World War II. Defence applications have been the main driver of infrared technology development all over the world. Infrared systems have been mainly developed for night vision, all weather surveillance, search and tracking and missile seeker applications. Ever demanding defence system requirements have facilitated considerable investment. Research has been mainly directed towards the product development. Medical applications such as thermographs, transportation applications such as enhanced vision systems for airplanes, helicopters, sea vehicles, and automobiles, law enforcement applications in drug prevention and criminal tracking, managing forest fires and environmental monitoring are some of the spin-offs. Infrared technology has proven to be a force multiplier in war as well as low intensity conflict situation. Intelligent vision sensor development covering visible-infrared spectrum for automated surveillance, change detection, 3D machine vision systems, dynamic particle metrology, missile and ballistic testing/imaging, faster, more precise and more manoeuvrable robotic applications will drive the future research.