Lockheed Awarded $7.8M Multisensor Contract

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 3, 2006 -- Defense contractor Lockheed Martin has received a $7.8 million contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory to design, produce and test its real-time active imaging in 3-D at extended range (RAIDER) multisensor system, an extended-range version of the polarimetric imaging laser radar (PILAR) system.

RAIDER includes an enhanced forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system, TV camera and upgraded laser detection and ranging (LADAR) capability in a 20-in. turret. The system provides high-resolution, 3-D target imaging for military and civil applications.

The improved LADAR in RAIDER allows the system to see over twice as far as the original PILAR, and fly at higher altitudes while mapping terrain. PILAR and RAIDER are designed to conduct wide-area searches and identify actual or potential threats, including targets partially obscured by camouflage or foliage. RAIDER offers better image quality and improves the speed at which the imagery is processed and transmitted over PILAR, Lockheed said. Also, the sensor is able to cover wider search areas on the ground than previously possible,and can be used in manned and unmanned aerial vehicles.

For more information, visit: www.lockheedmartin.com

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Published: August 2006

Glossary

image: In optics, an image is the reconstruction of light rays from a source or object when light from that source or object is passed through a system of optics and onto an image forming plane. Light rays passing through an optical system tend to either converge (real image) or diverge (virtual image) to a plane (also called the image plane) in which a visual reproduction of the object is formed. This reconstructed pictorial representation of the object is called an image.
infrared: Infrared (IR) refers to the region of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths longer than those of visible light, but shorter than those of microwaves. The infrared spectrum spans wavelengths roughly between 700 nanometers (nm) and 1 millimeter (mm). It is divided into three main subcategories: Near-infrared (NIR): Wavelengths from approximately 700 nm to 1.4 micrometers (µm). Near-infrared light is often used in telecommunications, as well as in various imaging and sensing...
sensor: 1. A generic term for detector. 2. A complete optical/mechanical/electronic system that contains some form of radiation detector.

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