VEUREY-VOROIZE, France, 9 Aug. 2008. ULIS, an infrared vision specialist making uncooled thermal sensors for military applications, has signed a five-year contract with Sagem Défense Sécurité (Groupe SAFRAN) as a primary source of supply for major weapon sights, handheld equipment, and military programs for cameras, including the French army's Future Infantry Soldier System (FELIN).
Uncooled thermal sensors, known as microbolometers, will be used to fit the thermal imaging rifle sights, multifunction goggles, and cameras for day and night operation and improved target acquisition.
Under the agreement, ULIS will deliver its uncooled 384 x 288 - 25 micron microbolometers, with the first delivery due at the end of the year.
The contract also provides for an extension to supply other higher-performance uncooled infrared products, such as the 640 x 480 - 25 micron and the 1024 x 768 - 17 micron microbolometers, for several military programs and new markets. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Microbolometers detect thermal energy over the long-wave range (8 - 14 microns). When this happens, the detector heats up in response to the absorbed energy and changes its electrical resistance. The resistance change is processed to create an image.
