To improve manufacturing technology for third-generation IR sensors under the Dual-Band Focal Plane Array Manufacturing program, Rockwell Scientific Co. LLC of Thousand Oaks, Calif., has received a $15.5 million contract from the US Army. The underlying array technology enhances the Army's ability to detect and identify battlefield threats.

The project will leverage Rockwell Scientific's investment in its new facility in Camarillo, Calif., for the production of large-format, small-pixel dual-band IR focal plane arrays. The aim is to increase the yield of the arrays to reduce the cost-per-unit tenfold. The company will lead a team that includes CMC Electronics Cincinnati of Mason, Ohio, and Jazz Semiconductor of Newport Beach, Calif.