Today's Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs) employ a variety of guidance approaches. Many such weapons have sensors to home in on targets illuminated by laser designators, often aimed by Special Operations Command (SOCOM) personnel on the ground or from targeting pods on aircraft. More and more, such illumination systems are moving to lasers in the 1550 nm shortwave infrared (SWIR) range to provide an eye-safe environment for humans. In such applications, SUI SWIR sensors and imaging products have broad applications when included as part of a terminal guidance system (TGS) in precision guided weapons. Small, reliable, and extremely sensitive, SUI SWIR cameras can provide a high-performance solution to PGM needs.
 |
This attack munition can be used with a shortwave IR camera and covert laser to heighten precision |
While weapons using Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) guidance systems are very accurate, the evolution of warfare today requires that collateral damage be kept to a minimum. As a result, field commanders are seeking weapons with reduce-blast capability, offsetting this with higher precision. As the chart here shows, as precision increases (defined as a reducing Circular Error Probability - CEP), the warhead needed to attack a given target goes down in size and collateral blast. Such GPS-based systems can achieve even higher precision (allowing further reductions in warhead size) by employing a ground-based SWIR laser targeting device in combination with a SWIR-based terminal guidance system in the weapon. Invisible to all but those equipped with SWIR vision systems, a fine-beam SWIR laser can guide a PGM to basketball-sized targets at long distances.
The higher level of PGM precision not only reduces collateral damage, but also enhances the entire mortar capbility of the squad. With increased accuracy from a ground-based SWIR laser and camera system, the squad will use and fire fewer rounds and will ultimately carry fewer rounds. Carrying less rounds enables a team to be more flexible on the ground, therefore enhancing the team's effectiveness.
 |
As the accuracy of precision guided munitions increases, hardened and semi-hardened targets can be destroyed by smaller and smaller explosive warheads. This contributes importantly to reduced collateral damage. |
SUI (Sensors Unlimited, Inc.), part of Goodrich Corporation, is the pioneer and world leader in the development and manufacturing of shortwave infrared (SWIR) photodiodes, arrays and cameras using Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs) semiconductor technology. Originally founded in 1991 as an advanced research and development company, the company quickly grew to become a major supplier of InGaAs technology for shortwave IR imaging solutions.
Now a member of the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems Division of Goodrich Corporation, the SUI facility features an ISO9001-2000 certified manufacturing plant including class 100 clean rooms and a III-IV semiconductor foundry with an MOCVD epitaxial growth wafer fab. Still based in Princeton, New Jersey, SUI's highly recognized technical staff has produced over 10 key patents in the InGaAs field and is a much sought-after resource to both the defense and commercial communities. The company has completed a number of projects for the U.S. Department of Defense, through Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Night Vision Laboratory (NVL) of the U.S. Army.