Flir Systems and Sofradir have announced a collaborative partnership to develop state-of-the-art third-generation dual-band detectors and camera cores. The technology will be used to produce thermal cameras with enhanced capabilities for military and commercial applications.
Sofradir brings its detector technology and mass production capacities, while Flir will design cameras and insert them into both US and international developed systems.
'Flir Systems and Sofradir share a common goal to supply the global sensor market with leading-edge technology,' said Bill Sundermeier, president, Flir Systems Government Systems division. 'This relationship reinforces the confidence that our customers have in our increased technological capabilities.'
'We are pleased to be working side-by-side with Flir, whose reputation for product quality is recognised worldwide,' said Philippe Bensussan, chairman and CEO at Sofradir.
This collaboration comes at a point when dual-band detectors are just beginning to become available after a long period of materials development in several countries. The applications include not only military and security imaging systems, but also thermographic and scientific cameras. This is because they provide the possibility of precise non-contact temperature measurement with automatic compensation for unknown material emissivity.
The dual-band thermal camera will operate in the midwave and longwave bandwidths, allowing users to switch spectral bands depending on the particular object to be identified or surveyed. The longwave bandwidth can optimise detection at cooler temperatures, and be beneficial on a battlefield, in the presence of dust, smoke or fog. The midwave bandwidth will enhance performance in high temperature and high humidity. The cameras will also provide efficient image fusion between the two bands, as the images will be naturally registered.
