QinetiQ is part of team selected by MOD for Albion - the next generation thermal imaging programme

The UK MOD has just awarded an £8.45 million, two year contract to a team that comprises QinetiQ, Thales UK and SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems (S&AS) which also has the management lead, to develop world class high performance Thermal Imaging (TI) technology for a wide variety of military applications.

This new programme, known as ALBION will develop the next generation thermal imaging technology which offers higher resolution, greater sensitivity and lower cost than the current second generation technologies.

This important work will see three types of thermal imagers developed using cadmium mercury telluride (CMT) focal plane arrays. These new sensors will offer significant military advantages in the detection, recognition and identification of targets at night and in poor visibility. This technology can be applied in a range of environments and will be used on land, at sea and in the air.

Potential applications include advanced sensors on future armoured vehicle programmes, naval infra-red search and track (IRST) systems and missile seekers for precision attack against difficult targets.

In 2008 it is hoped that the MOD will seek to further develop the ALBION programme moving from a pilot to an operational phase and widening its use for specific applications identified in the initial phase.

Simon Bennett, MD of QinetiQ's Technology & Products Division said: "This contract builds on several earlier thermal and infrared imaging programmes and acknowledges the progress the joint team has made. This phase of the programme will enable us to move much closer towards the eventual industrialisation of these capabilities which could be integrated into a wide range of military programmes both in the UK and with allied forces."

Bob Gee, SELEX S&AS Director Electro Optics Sector & Site General Manager Basildon said: "The ALBION programme is firmly focused on affordable solutions for advanced military applications and we will have particular emphasis on lowering the cost of manufacture whilst, as always, maintaining high performance. We are pleased to be working again with QinetiQ and Thales on this important programme and look forward to a successful programme."

Concluded Chris Gane, MD of Thales Optronics Ltd: "The Albion objective of improved performance at reduced cost is fundamental to future programmes. We look forward to applying the Albion technology in a range of potential military platforms and in different environments."