A Panoramic Shortwave Infrared Hyperspectral Sensor for Maritime Sensing

Introduction: The U.S. Navy is exploring new technologies aimed at improving maritime electro-optic and infrared imaging systems. Specific goals include the enhancement of day/night, wide-area situational awareness; improved detection, identification, and tracking capabilities; and increased system reliability. Developing an imaging system that can accomplish these objectives is a tremendous design challenge, made even more difficult by the size, weight, and power limitations imposed on many shipboard and submarine imagers. In response to this challenge, the NRL Optical Sciences Division is leading the development of several compact, day/night imaging systems with resolution that supports detection and tracking of multiple contacts over a wide (360°) field of regard. The sensor system described here is one such example, driven by the Navy’s Affordable Modular Panoramic Photonics Mast (AMPPM) program. The AMPPM program is aimed at creating several prototype imagers to serve as upgrades to the current Virginiaclass submarine photonics masts.