PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 10 -- DRS Technologies Inc. has received a contract from the US Air Force to develop new infrared focal plane arrays for the High Operating Temperature Staring Arrays (HOTSTAR) program in support of future advanced space surveillance applications. The award represents the first time DRS's advanced focal plane array technology will be used for space-based applications.
The $1.3 million contract was awarded by the Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate, at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M. Work for this contract will be accomplished by the company's DRS Infrared Technologies unit in Dallas. HOTSTAR will be designed to make improvements to mercury cadmium telluride infrared detector technology so that infrared sensors can operate at temperatures above those currently possible. This technology resulting technology will provide staring FPAs that will extend the life expectancy of sensor payloads in various satellite surveillance systems, as well as reduce the systems' weight, power and cost.