What Is EO/IR?

EO/IR (Electro-Optical/Infra-Red) systems are imaging systems used for military or law enforcement applications which include both visible and infrared sensors. Because they span both visible and infrared wavelengths, EO/IR systems provide total situational awareness both day and night and in low light conditions.

Critical features of EO/IR systems are long-range imaging abilities and image stabilization. EO/IR sensors are usually mounted on aircraft or vehicles, used at sea, or are hand-carried, and must be able to identify targets, track moving targets, and assess threats from a distance and in challenging environmental conditions.

Common applications of EO/IR systems include airborne homeland security, combat, patrol, surveillance, reconnaissance, and search and rescue programs. FLIR is committed to the development of EO/IR technology to enable professionals in their mission of saving lives and livelihoods.

FLIR Systems pioneered the first stabilized EO/IR systems, and since the 1990s has been a leader in long-range EO/IR sensors. Beginning with the first SAFIRE system, FLIR has utilized a spiral development strategy to invest ahead of anticipated requirements, ensuring customers are able to easily upgrade with the advancements in technology in this rapidly evolving field.

Current EO/IR sensors include the FLIR Star SAFIRE series of gimbals, with features such as internal navigation for precise targeting, MWIR thermal imaging, EO color and low-light cameras, and multiple laser payload options to ease identification and improve safety. EO/IR technology is also being fit to smaller payloads, including traditional drones and the FLIR Black Hornet, a reconnaissance UAV that fits in the palm of a hand and transmits live video and still HD images back to the operator to improve their awareness and reduce risk to ground forces.

Learn more about detection and defense solutions from FLIR by checking out the link here.