Optics manufacturer LightPath Technologies has entered into a $1.1 million research and development contract with Raytheon Vision Systems to develop low-cost infrared optics manufacturing processes. The contract supports Raytheon’s $13.4 million DARPA low-cost thermal imaging program, which aims to develop wafer-scale manufacturing processes that will result in a camera on a chip that makes thermal imagers affordable, accessible and ubiquitous for military applications. “Applications of infrared and thermal imaging technology have grown explosively over the last 10 years into various markets, including industrial inspection, automotive vision and security,” said Jim Gaynor, president and CEO. “Cost is now a major barrier to further expansion into mission-critical defense and high-volume commercial applications.” LightPath’s work on the low-cost thermal imaging project will help it to further develop its molding technology and provide enhanced capabilities for thermal imaging lenses in the mid- and long-wavelength infrared spectrum. For more information, visit: www.lightpath.com