Introduction
The CapTech Optronics focuses on developing new optronic sensors, image processing software, and optronics systems to support a wide range of military tasks. Optronics systems are critical enablers of defence and security operations, offering the ability to collect data in the electro-optical (EO) spectrum – from ultraviolet (UV) to far infrared (IR)/terahertz (THz). They operate effectively across diverse and challenging environments, including contested, cluttered or visually degraded environments, such as night time operations.
The main capabilities are detection, recognition, identification and tracking (DRIT) of potential targets and threats. CapTech Optronics also covers laser weapons and electro-optical countermeasures. It also investigates how innovations from the civil domain, such as high-performance cameras for smartphones and automotive LIDARs (Light Detection and Ranging), can be integrated into defence applications.
Technology Building Blocks
Technology Building Blocks (TBBs) are the specific technological focus areas that guide the CapTech’s activities and research priorities. The optronics technologies involved in defence systems can be covered by four technological domains:
- Passive imaging: focusing on the hardware of passive optronics systems.
- Active imaging: focusing on optronics systems with active elements such as lasers.
- Image processing and modelling: focusing on software processing of data collected with electro-optical systems.
- Optronics systems and applications: handling all aspects of modelling, simulation, fusion and integration in a sensor suite and/or application.
The CapTech Optronics operates around eleven Technology Building Blocks:
- Manufacturing of optical systems and materials: ensuring the availability of critical raw materials such as germanium and identifying potential substitution systems. This block also addresses the upscaling of production processes for optical systems that address current and new capabilities.
- Advanced passive imaging: enhancement of the imaging performance of conventional photon detection and imaging devices. as well as developing advanced sensors such as hyper- and multispectral, polarimetric, and neuromorphic imaging systems.
- Innovative optics: developing emerging and disruptive optical architectures and components alongside the design software.
- Active imaging and ranging: addressing complete active imaging system concepts together with their key components, such as laser sources and sensors for range-gated imaging.
- Quantum imaging and sensing: developing systems based on entangled photons enabling applications such as non-line-of-sight imaging, secure communications, and magnetic quantum sensing.
- Image processing, artificial intelligence and image exploitation: developing techniques for image enhancement and processing, including artificial intelligence algorithms to extract valuable information from raw and pre-processed sensor data.
- Modelling of optical systems, imaging data and environments: modelling and simulation technologies to support system evaluation, operational environment modelling, and imaging data generation for AI algorithms. The block also includes performance estimation, validation, and verification activities using modelling and simulation.
- Laser weapons and laser sources: developing compact and efficient laser-based weapon systems targeting ground, air, and sea platforms, accompanied by protective techniques against such systems. This block also covers out-of-band damage and laser safety aspects, including eye safety, safety protocols, regulations, and standardisation.
- Electro-optical counter measures and warfare: measures such as jamming (in-band), dazzling (in-band), and damaging EO/IR systems are designed to distract or destroy them.
- Data fusion, augmented/virtual reality and optronics system integration: integration and architectural definition of EO sensors and their processing systems, including data fusion, within heterogeneous sensor suites to enhance operational capability.
- Optical and Laser communication: developing of optical and laser communication systems to ensure effective operation in degraded visual environments and over long distances.
Link to EDA’s capability domains
The CapTech Optronics contributes to the priorities of the Capability Development Plan (CDP) by advancing the development of optronic sensors and processing modules for manned, unmanned, and potentially autonomous platforms. These systems enable data gathering support decision-making in complex operational environments.
Optronics technologies play a crucial role in addressing emerging and novel threats, such as hypersonic missiles, small unmanned arial systems (UAS), improvised explosive devices (IEDs), camouflaged targets, CBRN threats, and high-altitude assets. New is the deployment of multiple targets - groups of homogeneous or heterogeneous platforms that can operate in coordinated ways.
Optronics systems support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), target acquisition, and provide situational awareness. They strengthen the overall effectiveness and resilience of European defence capabilities.
Join the CapTech
The CapTech Optronics meets three times per year. In addition,, EDA organises workshops to investigate new topics and define potential collaborative projects. All information is shared via EDA’s online collaborative workspace.
You can submit a request for membership as a Governmental Expert (CGE) or non-Governmental Expert (CnGE) to the CapTech moderator
([email protected]).
Requests need the approval of the respective CapTech National Coordinator (CNC).
We look forward to new members being integrated into defence applications.