DARPA Selects Goodrich to Develop Next-Generation Night Vision Technology

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Defense Advanced Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected Goodrich Corporation to develop next-generation night vision sensor technology for helmet-mounted and micro vehicle applications. A three-year contract released under DARPA's MicroSensors for Imaging (MISI) program to Goodrich's ISR Systems division covers engineering and initial prototypes of highly sensitive lightweight imaging cameras based on the company's commercially successful shortwave infrared (SWIR) sensors. Work will be performed in Princeton, NJ.

In the MISI program, Goodrich's Sensors Unlimited, Inc. (SUI) team will develop its indium gallium arsenide-night vision (InGaAs-NV(TM)) SWIR sensors into a 640 x 512 pixel resolution camera weighing less than 10 grams, intended for hand-launched unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition, the company will deliver a 1280 x 1024 pixel head-mounted monocular.

SWIR technology detects reflected light at wavelengths that the human eye cannot see. It works in wavelength bands between visible and thermal cameras, an area that current night vision technology cannot see. The extremely small and lightweight size of the Goodrich system is due to the use of advanced materials and circuitry that allow it to run without cooling, unlike other night vision technologies that needs cumbersome cooling systems. The company's technology is currently used on a diverse array of applications, from non-invasive medical examinations to silicon wafer inspection.

"In this new MISI program, our unmatched imaging technology will be advanced and coupled with breakthrough packaging for night vision applications," said Edward Hart, Vice President and General Manager, SUI. "We expect this advanced InGaAs-NV technology to achieve dramatic reductions in size, weight, power and performance for a new generation of capability for the warfighter."

Goodrich's ISR Systems division designs and builds high performance custom engineered electronics, optics, shortwave infrared cameras and arrays, intelligence exploitation systems and electro-optical products for defense, scientific, and commercial applications. Sensors Unlimited, Inc. pioneered the design and production of SWIR cameras and systems utilizing advanced InGaAs imaging technology for industrial, commercial, military, agricultural and scientific markets. For additional information on InGaAs-based imaging detectors, arrays and systems visit http://www.isr.goodrich.com/sui.

Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global supplier of systems and services to aerospace, defense and homeland security markets. With one of the most strategically diversified portfolios of products in the industry, Goodrich serves a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service facilities. For more information visit http://www.goodrich.com/ .

A high-resolution image can be found at: http://212.125.72.174/cgi-bin/goodrich/login.cgi -- simply search using key words "night vision sensor" or "MISI" or "helmet mounted" or "indium gallium arsenide-night vision"."

Goodrich Corporation operates through its divisions and as a parent company for its subsidiaries, one or more of which may be referred to as "Goodrich Corporation" in this press release.