Navy researchers look to Daylight Solutions to develop semiconductor laser technology to jam infrared-guided munitions
ARLINGTON, Va., 19 May 2010. Scientists at the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) in Arlington, Va., are looking to laser experts at Daylight Solutions Inc. in Poway, Calif., to develop multi-wavelength direct semiconductor laser technology with sufficient power to jam infrared sensors in precision-guided munitions.
ONR awarded a $1.4 million contract to Daylight Solutions last week as part of an electronic warfare (EW) research initiative to develop next-generation technologies to detect and defeat imaging infrared and multi-mode tracking systems, missiles, and other precision guided munitions.
Navy researchers are asking Daylight Solutions to develop a compact laser to defeat guided munitions that employ scanning and focal-plane-array imaging sensors that operate in the infrared spectral bands -- especially the atmospheric transmission bands at roughly 1-2, 3-5, and 8-12 microns that are designed to passively track targets, guide weapons, and negate the effectiveness of infrared countermeasures.
Daylight Solutions specializes in quantum cascade laser (QCL)-based molecular detection and imaging systems that combine QC gain media with patented external cavity quantum cascade laser (ECqcL) technology, resulting in a broadly tunable or fixed-wavelength mid-infrared laser source.
For more information contact the Office of Naval Research online at www.onr.navy.mil, or Daylight Solutions at www.daylightsolutions.com.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
