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Artemis Optical is aiming its thermal imaging protection filter technology at a wider range of applications, following initial deployment in armored vehicles. The Plymouth-headquartered firm says that the filter has been developed to counter what it describes as the growing threat to thermal camera systems posed by long-wave infrared (LWIR) lasers.

Although such cameras are often protected from more obvious threats, they can be disabled by LWIR lasers. The company’s thin-film protective filter blocks out part of the LWIR range while transmitting the rest of the infrared spectrum so that the camera can still ‘see’. Developed over four years, the filter has in fact been in production for the past 18 months, after Artemis received a request from the UK military to begin supplying the technology. The initial application was a UK armored vehicle and is currently being qualified for another armored vehicle upgrade.

While armored vehicles are expected to remain the major market for the technology, Pindard is also expecting interest in UAV, helicopter and other aircraft applications, as well as border security. As acknowledged experts in this field, Artemis recognized that a shift in technological focus and an increase in the use of thermal camera systems created a need for a new type of product where it was not just the eye being protected from laser threats.

While the company is currently selling the filters to manufacturers of cameras and sights - who can then offer their product as ‘protected’ – Artemis believes that there may also be an after-market sales opportunity that would enable more traditional infrared camera companies to upgrade their offerings. To know more, click here.