The driver switches off his military vehicle's headlights on a dark forest road. Even without headlights, a thermal imager is able to scan forward and backward.
The picture from this device helps the driver to notice twists and potholes on the road. Not even fog is much of a hindrance, and any enemy soldiers or wild animals lurking in the roadside bush will be mercilessly exposed. Two different technologies are used in night vision devices: Image intensifier and Thermal camera –technologies. Developed by the Patria subsidiary Millog, the thermal imager for drivers comes in a convenient size and can be installed on practically any vehicle. The content on the camera's display can be adapted as needed and imaging data can be supplemented with information on the vehicle and its environment. This equipment has been tested in challenging conditions. Tests have confirmed the device's resistance to shocks and vibrations of the vehicles and its ability to function under varying weather conditions and in extreme temperatures. Thermal imagers have been widely adopted in civilian use, leading to drastically lower prices and improved performance. By contrast, the prices of image intensifiers have remained unchanged, as manufacturers have failed to find methods of lowering the production cost of expensive components.
Millog is the largest manufacturer of night vision devices in the Nordic countries
Millog traces its origin to the optical institute of the Finnish Defence Forces, established in 1940 in Katajanokka, Helsinki. The institute specialised in binoculars, telescopic sights, telescopes, periscopes and range finders. It also overhauled, manufactured and developed equipment for the Finnish Defence Forces. Later, the institute relocated to Central Finland, becoming part of the Lievestuore army depot. Five years ago, it became part of Millog at the same time as Patria's optronics business, then located in Tampere, was merged with Millog. Millog designs and develops high-tech military products, managing the entire production cycle from beginning to end. Millog manufactures lenses for optical devices and other optical components which require a high degree of accuracy and ensures that such components are functional, durable and compatible with each other. Only image intensifier tubes and thermal sensors for night vision devices are procured from specialised suppliers.
What is optronics?
Optronic devices represent both image intensifier and thermal imaging technology, enabling a soldier to see in all weather conditions, at night, in the daytime and through fog. Optronics is a combination various concepts:
- optics refers to lenses and other optical components,
- optomechanics refers to devices which combine optics with precision engineering,
- optoelectronics refers to devices which contains also electronics, such as laser components.
Optronic systems are computer-controlled.
LISA, an easy-to-use device for range finding and target acquisition, combines an uncooled thermal imager, optical day channel, daylight camera, an eyesafe laser range finder, GPS, digital magnetic compass, C4I connectivity and image & video capture with target information. The Finnish Defence Forces and Millog Oy have signed an agreement on target acquisition sensors. The value of the contract is 26.8 million euros (incl. VAT).
This article was published in the Patria magazine in June 2014.