The objective of this SBIR Phase II follow-on contract is to address critical sub-system technologies in the WFOV system and its biologically-inspired Artificial Compound Eye (ACE) optical technology. Spectral Imaging Laboratory, located in Pasadena, California, will use the additional funding to address the data acquisition hardware and software requirements needed for image acquisition and processing, maturing the technology for the WFOV Seeker Program.
According to Dr. Nicholas Rummelt, an AFRL researcher involved in the project, new ACE optical systems generate images from multiple sub-images that view different parts of the field-of-view, similar to the compound eye of an insect.
"The WFOV seeker concept was originally inspired by insects such as bees which use the optic flow field to control their flight and navigate. So one of the advantages of having a WFOV seeker is the potential for GPS denied navigation," said Rummelt.
Source: USAF