L-3 Extending Its Infrared Imaging System to 14-Volt Aircraft

L-3 Avionics Systems, a division of L-3 Communications, is configuring its IRIS infrared imaging system for use on 14-volt aircraft, making the technology, commonly known as enhanced vision, available for the experimental market.  Testing is underway and the first system should be available this fall.

IRIS produces a real-time, gray-scale image of the outside environment on a cockpit display.  With the system, the pilot can see terrain, airport markings, and objects that are invisible to the naked eye in darkness and other poor visibility conditions.  Even during the day, pilots can see outside images that would be difficult otherwise, because of bright oncoming light or solar glare.

According to L-3, the patented BST (barium strontium titanate) detector technology used in IRIS generates the lowest spatial noise under the most challenging conditions; makes IRIS immune to solar radiation; and provides an uninterrupted, continuously calibrated image, even during turns.

Infrared systems that use competing microbolometer technology periodically cycle a shutter for recalibration, which causes images to be washed out and unusable, L-3 says.  07-24-2007.

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