Artemis Optical Limited, the designer and manufacturer of high-precision optical filters including laser protection filters used by the American military and others, has developed technology to protect the detectors in advanced infrared cameras and sighting systems.
The breakthrough greatly enhances the laser-protection capabilities of the periscopes and cameras that are integral to modern platforms deployed on military land vehicles, including tanks, armoured fighting vehicles and personnel carriers. The technology is also available to protect air and sea platforms from the growing threat of malicious laser use.
Artemis has a long heritage of supplying eye-safe laser protection filters for periscopes and cameras used on land vehicles and its latest innovation is the evolution of that capability. Expansion in this area would see the company increasing its workforce.
As the first European company to develop this product, Artemis has secured a production contract worth in excess of £1million as well as a separate development brief, expected to progress to a further production order of similar value. The work helps secure the company’s position as a world-class supplier in this field.
The use of advanced infrared systems on armoured vehicles is becoming more prevalent on new platforms and those undergoing large upgrade programmes. The production-ready product will enable European defence companies to incorporate optimal protection technology from Artemis in their systems without stretching their supply chains.
Stuart Allan, Technology Director of Artemis Optical, said: “This significant advance in laser protection is an example of Artemis undertaking technically challenging R&D in order to fill a capability gap in the market – and is an extension of our world-class expertise in this area.
“With the increased use of malicious lasers, the technology is transferrable to air and sea platforms as well. The development and order underpin the Artemis strategy to become world-class in its core markets. We aim to cement our position as the ‘go-to’ company worldwide for eye-safe and electro-optical laser protection.”
