Teledyne FLIR to develop new uncooled thermal imagers for US Army

Teledyne FLIR’s OEM division has announced its selection under the US military’s so-called “Delivering Unmatched Thermal Capability Hastened” (DUTCH) initiative, for which it is set to develop compact new uncooled imagers.

Focused on strengthening thermal sensor performance, the program will also look to reduce size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) requirements, while maintaining high-volume production capability.

California-headquartered Teledyne FLIR OEM adds that the work will build on its prior investment in advanced small-pixel pitch uncooled thermal architectures, including recent product innovations intended to scale integration across defense missions, one example being uncrewed platforms.

Paul Clayton, the president of Teledyne FLIR OEM, commented: “Teledyne FLIR OEM is proud to contribute to the US Army’s efforts to accelerate next-generation uncooled thermal performance while strengthening a secure, resilient domestic industrial base.

“Our ability to deliver state-of-the-art, NDAA-compliant thermal imaging solutions on time and at scale helps reduce program risk and ensure reliable long-term access for critical defense programs, like Drone Dominance.”

NDAA compliance relates to the 2019 US National Defense Authorization Act, which bans the use of equipment made by a number of international suppliers, notably China’s Huawei and ZTE.

Secure supply chains

Examples of Teledyne FLIR OEM’s NDAA-compliant uncooled thermal imaging products include the Boson+ platform with zoom lens capability, the dual-sensor Hadron 640 that combines infrared and visible imaging, and the firm’s cost-effective Lepton camera modules.

The company says that its AI-ready architecture, with optional factory-integrated continuous zoom lenses, provide superior performance for drones, handheld thermal devices, weapon sights, and loitering munitions.

According to Teledyne the DUTCH initiative aligns with the Pentagon’s priorities to strengthen secure microelectronics supply chains while restoring domestic manufacturing capacity for mission-critical technologies.

Teledyne FLIR OEM, which operates out of locations in Santa Barbara, Boston, and Charlotte, describes itself as a “non-traditional” defense contractor providing high-volume manufacturing and system-level integration for uncooled thermal imaging systems, helping expand a scalable, low-risk domestic supply base for infrared components.

George Bobb, the CEO and president of parent company Teledyne Technologies, added: “A trusted, scalable, and resilient domestic supply of high-performance thermal imaging camera modules is vital to US national security.

“Across Teledyne, we are committed to moving quickly to develop and deliver the critical defense technologies needed by our war fighters.”

Last month Teledyne Technologies announced record-breaking quarterly sales of $1.66 billion, with the company’s digital imaging segment accounting for $869 million of that total, a rise of 13 per cent year-on-year thanks largely to higher sales of infrared imaging detectors, components, and subsystems for both defense and commercial applications.