ADVANCES IN ELECTROOPTIC SYSTEMS FOR TARGETING

Throughout history, 'optics' have been used as the primary sense for w eapon aiming. Military aircraft have now been using electro-optic avio nic systems for more than 50 years to provide aiming precision in a va riety of targeting applications. Recent conflicts have made significan t use of the precision of electro-optic (E-O) systems such as the ther mal imaging and airborne laser designator (TIALD) to strike specific t argets, by day and night, while minimizing the risk of unintentional c ollateral damage. Many of these E-O systems provide a convenient 'CNN news compatible' video and the use and effectiveness of the TIALD have been witnessed by many people on television. Perhaps not so obvious a re the underlying advances in E-O technology and the extensive enhance ments that have made this all possible. The United Kingdom is a world leader in E-O technology and continues to research and develop new sys tems to meet anticipated future needs. The author examines the basis f or use of electro-optic avionics in targeting applications and describ es the depth of the technology employed to meet the precision requirem ents. A few examples of E-O systems are examined, together with a disc ussion of future directions.