Defense and Aerospace Sensors
Excelitas has over 30 years of experience providing sensors for the accurate measurement and detection of light, heat, motion, and distance in mission-critical military and aerospace applications.
Excelitas offers a wide range of emitters and detectors for laser ranging and designating and proximity fuzing and laser warning systems, including the EXACTD series, detectors, and pulsed lasers. We also offer terminal guidance detectors for precision guided munitions and laser spot tracking, as well as emitters for target acquisition, ranging, and designation.
We address requirements with both standard (off-the-shelf) products and customer-specific designs customized to meet end-user requirements.
Additional Resources
Why should you choose Excelitas as your provider of Defense and Aerospace Sensors?
Excelitas Technologies is a global technology leader that is fully committed to delivering innovative, high-performance, market-driven photonic solutions that meet the performance and reliability requirements of our customers across the globe. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, we are able to provide sensing and detection solutions that allow for the accurate measurement and detection of light, heat, motion and distance in mission-critical military and aerospace applications, providing enhanced combat capabilities for our foremost military personnel.
What are the different uses of Defense and Aerospace Sensors?
Defense and aerospace sensors are specialized devices that enable the gathering of data in order to provide information for military and aerospace purposes. Each of these terms are used to refer to the specific purpose for which they are intended: defense sensors for the acquisition of data used in various military applications while aerospace sensors are those used for data gathering and monitoring of flight conditions for aerospace applications.
Common examples of defense sensors used for detection, monitoring and sensing of operational threats include radar sensors, optoelectronic sensors, infrared (IR) sensors and magnetic sensors. Meanwhile, examples of aerospace sensors include interior measurement units (IMUs), air data sensors, global positioning systems and weather sensors.
What types of Defense and Aerospace Sensors do you offer?
Excelitas offers a wide range of emitters and detectors used for laser ranging, designating, proximity fuzing and laser warning systems for accurate and reliable data-gathering capabilities. Our comprehensive aerospace and defense sensors and solutions easily integrate with various end products and devices to enable enhanced capabilities for various military and aerospace end-user applications:
- Avalanche Photodiodes - made from silicon (Si) and InGaAs materials that provide higher sensitivity than standard photodiodes for extreme low-level light (LLL) detection and photon counting.
- YAG-Enhanced Photodiodes - we offer a wide range of devices that provide high speed, responsivity and quantum efficiency for photon detection between 400 to 1700 nm.
- Laser Range-Finding Detectors - composed of a comprehensive range of avalanche photodiode (APD) and high-power laser diodes for commercial range-finding applications.
- Quadrant Detectors - quadrant PIN and avalanche photodetectors that enable precise beam positioning capabilities. They come with a unique structure that allows high quantum efficiency and fast response for the detection of photons in the 400 to 1100 nm range.
- Laser Warning Detectors - Si and InGaAs photodiodes capable of photon detection from 220 nm to 1700 nm and come in a variety of sizes to meet customer sensitivity and speed requirements.
- YAG-Enhanced Quadrant Photodiodes - offer high speed, responsivity and quantum efficiency for photon detection from 400 to 1700, allowing devices to function as YAG-enhanced terminal guidance detectors for precision munitions, target acquisition, laser spot tracking and missile guidance.
- 1064nm Long-Wavelength Enhanced Si APDs - designed to have enhanced long wave response capabilities while eliminating undesirable properties using a double-diffused “reach-through” structure, allowing them to achieve quantum efficiencies of up to 40% at 1060 nm.
- Proximity Fuzing - a fuze capable of detonating explosive devices automatically when the distance to the target becomes smaller than a predetermined value, providing a sophisticated trigger mechanism for targeting planes, ships, missiles and ground forces.
What are the applications of Defense and Aerospace Sensors?
Excelitas provides a comprehensive range of defense and aerospace sensors designed to address your high-performance and high-volume applications. They are built with world-class design to allow for operational efficiency when applied in the following areas:
- Defense electronics/optronics systems
- Smart munitions
- Safety and security
- High volume electronics
Do you offer custom Defense and Aerospace Sensors?
As a recognized global leader in advanced photonic technologies, Excelitas produces leading aerospace and defense solutions that allow our OEM and end-user customers to achieve their intended performance and reliability requirements. We offer an extensive array of off-the-shelf solutions capable of meeting your needs in your intended application.
Our true capabilities lie in our ability to produce bespoke solutions that cater to your custom specifications and specialized requirements. As your go-to partner, we collaborate with you across all stages of design and product development to help maximize your results without comprising the quality and cost of bringing your vision into reality.