Lockheed Martin Cools IR sensors

Lockheed Martin has unveiled a micro-sized cryocooler to chill infrared (IR) sensors.

IR sensors on missiles and ISR devices needed to be cooled to as low as -320 degrees Fahrenheit. The Lockheed Martin device uses the same miniaturized compressor as the standard micro-cryocooler, but with a new cold head that is 54 millimeters long, or less than the length of older models, according to a company news release.

"The Fast Cool Down Microcryocooler makes sure our military can have rapid-reaction systems, from missile to passive sensor applications," said Jeffrey Olson, a scientist at  Lockheed Martin's Advanced Technology Center. "We can cool an IR sensor in 3 minutes, versus the 12 to 15 minutes of current systems."

More In Sensors

Turkish defense ministry describes tricky shoot-down of wayward drone

The Turkish armed forces have previously had to neutralize unmanned surface vessels and drifting sea mines arriving from across the Black Sea.

Belgium doubles down on drone defenses following mystery flights

The ramp-up is part of the country’s €50 million ($59 million) anti-drone plan in the wake of a recent surge in illegal drone overflights.

Kongsberg, Helsing team up for European satellite-intel constellation

The cooperation will include setting up local satellite production in Germany to create “a self-reliant European defense capability,” the companies said.

Drones fly over French strategic nuclear submarine base, media report

The drones were “neutralized,” daily Liberation reported, with the newspaper saying the usual procedure involves jamming.

France is two years from fielding drone swarms in its armed forces

“Obviously, in a dehumanized combat, there’s a sort of coldness behind it all that somewhat gives you goosebumps," a French Army official predicted.