Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB We investigate, develop, and evaluate lasers and optronic systems in the context of military applications – both in the laboratory and in mission-relevant environments and deployment scenarios.
For this purpose
- we build optical systems for active reconnaissance with laser illuminators (gated viewing, quantum ghost imaging, 3D image acquisition),
- develop and adapt algorithms for information acquisition and image enhancement,
- investigate new passive sensors, such as neuromorphic cameras, with regard to their potential, and
- research and develop laser sources and components for military applications, covering in particular the complex topic of high-energy lasers and applications.
From a scientific perspective, we examine the physics of the laser source and beam propagation through the atmosphere, the object signature (passive and active), and image generation in the sensor together with image acquisition algorithms and AI-based learning methods. We optimize the methods for information acquisition, always with a view to the specific requirements and constraints in the context of security and defense.