1. Electro-Optical Systems
The last lecture of Weapons Class

2. What are we talking about?
Optically guided weapons
Night vision goggles
Thermal Imaging
Laser Guided Munitions

3. Electro-Optical Spectrum
Electro-Optical Band Hz
Visible ~1015 Hz
Infrared ~ Hz
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4. Sources Selective Emitters Narrowband – many be only a couple Hz.
Only selective radiator we are interested in in Laser light.

5. Sources
Thermal
Radiates in proportion to the absolute temperature (Kelvin).
Total power output is proportional to surface area.
Many military applications

6. Lasers Narrow bandwidth Can operate in CW or Pulse modes
Many different types
Can damage skin or eyes based on relative intensity.

7. Infrared
Passive system that collects thermal radiation emitted from the target.
Used in military and law enforcement applications.

8. Characteristics of Thermal Energy
Uneven spreading
Attenuation / Absorption
Scattering
Spreading – Amount of energy leaving any one portion of the object will depend on the objects shape.
Attenuation – Due to atmospheric conditions. A functions of frequency and range.
Scattering – Energy can scatter just like other forms of energy.

9. Detectors Aperture Bandwidth Range Field of View
Aperture – Determines the collected flux
Bandwidth – There is an upper and lower limit to what the detector can collect and process

10. Detector Range Depends on: Attenuation due to atmosphere Source level
Background levels
Detector sensitivity and bandwidth

11. Detector Performance Resolution Spatial Thermal
Ability to distinguish small objects or parts of objects
Thermal
Ability to distinguish temperature differences
Spatial and Thermal resolution are inversely proportional.
Combined performance measure - MRTD
Spatial and Thermal resolution are inversely proportional because the farther away one gets from the target, the less heat they will “see” emanating from the target.
MRTD – Minimum Resolvable Temperature Difference.
Determined experimentally

12. Military Uses Laser guided munitions Thermal homing missiles
Designated from air or ground
Thermal homing missiles
Optical Guidance
Night Vision
Thermal Missiles
Stinger
Sidewinder
Optical Guidance
Maverick
TOW
Low Level Light amplification systems – require some amount of light.

13. Weapons that use Optics

15. CIWS Blk IIA

16. Thermal Imaging

17. MIDN Ricks dancing at the Mil Ball

18. Johnson, Williams, Porter, Boyle lookin’ for a party……….

19. Night Vision Goggles (NVG’s)

21. LGB

22. TOW

23. Questions?