BAE Systems has developed an all-beryllium-aluminum version of the F-9120; a compact, lightweight, dual-band
Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) long range sensor for high altitude tactical reconnaissance applications. The use of
beryllium-aluminum as a common mirror and structure material provides a novel sensor solution that satisfies the
military's need to gather high quality, long range, simultaneous, visible and infrared imagery at a lower cost. This paper
will discuss the formulation and implementation of BAE Systems innovative material approach as well as its
manufacturing and performance advantages.
BAE Systems has developed and fielded the F-9120, a compact, lightweight, dual-band Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR)
long range sensor for high altitude tactical reconnaissance applications. The sensor's weight and size allow it to be
carried internally or in a pod on a variety of military aircraft. The challenge of maintaining optical performance over
severe vibration and thermal environments has been met using beryllium optics coupled to a beryllium-aluminum
structure. Material choices were vital to maintaining both the optical performance of the system over the environments
as well as jitter control of the two-axis, inertially-stabilized gimbal. The beryllium and beryllium-aluminum combination
has demonstrated unprecedented vibration performance in both laboratory and field environments. In addition, the close
coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) match between the optics and structure has enabled the sensor to meet its stringent imaging requirements over a wide temperature range as predicted.
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