Advanced MAWS and DAS IR solutions based on HOT MWIR technology

Modern airborne platforms are generally equipped with Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) based on high end Infra-Red (IR) detectors. The airborne platforms put high demands on the IR detectors, both for electro-optical performance and for durability against harsh environmental conditions. Recently, these systems have evolved to also include situational awareness for the pilot, and hence are defined as Electro Optical Distributed Aperture Systems (EO-DAS). Detectors for both MAWS & EO-DAS require a large Field of View (FOV) in order to cover a solid angle of 4π steradians around the platform. However, while MAWS can be satisfied with standard resolution sensors, a high resolution detector is a must for situational awareness,. This requirement is met by large format detectors (>1 Mega pixel) having a smaller pixel pitch. In addition, a high frame rate is required for preventing image blur and for reducing the False Alarm Rate (FAR). Thus in order to maintain sufficient sensitivity and a low FAR, the IR detector must be sensitive to the full Mid-Wave IR (MWIR) band of radiation. Since MWIR detectors are cooled to cryogenic temperatures, the combination of a large format and a high frame rate is quite demanding. Furthermore, the conditions in most aerial platforms are harsh, with very high environmental temperatures, a high shock level, and significant levels of vibration. Therefore, the detector Dewar must be ruggedized and the cooler must maintain a large enough cooling capacity, even though the volume available for the detector is usually very limited. To address all of the above requirements is becoming extremely challenging. Over the years, SCD has developed several MAWS solutions that have been successfully integrated into systems and combat proven. In this paper, we review these solutions, and describe our recent development of a High Operating Temperature (HOT), 5 Mega-pixel detector optimized for both MAWS and EODAS requirements.