Applying innovative test technologies to emerging EO weapons systems

Previous Autotestcon papers have dealt with the technical challenges of testing EO weapon systems with accurate, yet portable EO test equipment, such as Raytheon's Chameleon EO analyzer. This paper describes the most demanding challenge yet; testing the ATFLIR system. Currently under development by Raytheon systems company in El Segundo, CA, ATFLIR is the latest and most sophisticated tactical EO weapon system. The ATFLIR system combines a high resolution 3/sup rd/ GEN Targeting FLIR, a TV Camera, a high-powered tactical laser Designator/Rangefinder, a training eye-safe laser rangefinder, a laser spot tracker, and a 3/sup rd/ GEN Navigational FLIR all on a inertially stabilized gimbaled platform. This paper specifically discusswa the use of the Chameleon EO analyzer in support of ATFLIR system-level testing. Included are some of the many technical challenges of testing such an advanced system, with it's high performance imaging and it's multi-spectral, multi-functional coaxial optical path.