US Space Force increases efforts to plug training capabilities gaps
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
Goodrich Corporation has been chosen by the Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, to develop solutions for its short wave infrared (SWIR) imaging sensors. A contract released under AFRL's Advanced Development of Protection Technologies (ADePT) program covers the investigation of approaches for SWIR detectors. Work will be performed by Goodrich's ISR Systems team in Princeton, NJ.
According to Dr. David Dawes, manager of business development for Goodrich's ISR Systems Princeton team, "Our work on the ADePT program will develop materials and techniques to improve the survivability of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and targeting sensors, giving our warfighters a great advantage on the battlefield. We look forward to developing and deploying this enhanced capability to many diverse platforms."
SWIR technology detects reflected light at wavelengths that the human eye cannot see, in wavelength bands between visible and thermal cameras. The Goodrich system is extremely small, low power and lightweight; this is achieved using specialized indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) materials and advanced circuitry allow it to run without cooling, whereas other imaging devices in the SWIR band need cumbersome power-hungry cooling systems.
Source: Goodrich
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