FLIR Systems takes aim at small UAS applications with Hadron imaging module

Imaging sensor specialist FLIR Systems has launched a new compact electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera module aimed at small unmanned aircraft system (UAS), robotics, and imaging original equipment manufacturer (OEM) applications.

The dual sensor EO/IR module, called Hadron, centres on a low size, weight, and power (SWaP) package measuring 24x45x36 mm with a weight of 42.8 g.

The Hadron module is equipped with a Sony IMX412 complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) colour camera with a 4056x3040 pixel resolution and FLIR Systems’ Boson 320 longwave infrared (LWIR) thermal sensor, which is built around a 12 µm pitch vanadium oxide (VOx) uncooled detector and offers a resolution of 320x256 pixels with a framerate of up to 60 Hz and a horizontal field-of-view (HFOV) of 34°.

Randall Warnas, global small UAS segment leader at FLIR Systems, told Janes on 29 July that the Hadron module was initially developed under the the US Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU’s) Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) programme for the US Army, which aims to deliver an affordable, rucksack portable, quadrotor vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAS that can serve as an organic and rapidly deployable situational awareness capability for troops.

“A combined thermal and visible light payload was required for this programme, and FLIR Systems set out to standardise the payload package,” Warnas said. “As a module, the Hadron can be built into a robust system in conjunction with software and other features.”

“However, FLIR Systems will work with our users and the market at large to understand what is needed to make significant improvements to how they approach their respective missions,” he added.

Janes