Institute of Optronics

Last updated

Institute of Optronics
Industry
Founded1984
FateMerged into Research and Development Establishment (RDE)
SuccessorResearch and Development Establishment (RDE)
Headquarters,
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Akram S. Hussain Abidi
Products

The Institute of Optronics (shortened as IOP) was a military funded research and development institute located in Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan. [1]

Contents

Established in 1984 by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Institute of Optronics (IOP) conducted research on military lasers, optoelectronics and photonics to support the capabilities of the Pakistan Armed Forces. [2]

After a reorganization within the MoDP in 2020 it has been merged into the newly formed Research and Development Establishment. [3] [4]

Overview

In 1984, the Ministry of Defence established the Institute of Optronics (IOP) as a research and development (R&D) institute focused on military applications of lasers, optoelectronics, photonics and optronics. [5] Set up under military control, the institute's first director was Lieutenant-General Talat Masood from DESTO, located in Rawalpindi Cantonment. [6] The scientific investigations on photonics was led by its principle investigator, Akram S. Hussain Abidi, a physicist with optics specialization who once worked for the NASA at their Goddard Space Flight Center. [7] [8]

Under Abidi's leadership, the institute acquired expertise in night vision technology through reverse engineering of American models. During the period 1985-1989, the IOP successfully developed and manufactured its first night vision devices (NVDs) based on the AN/PVS-4, AN/PVS-5 and AN/PVS-7 models. [5] [3] [9]

Products

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Photonics</span> Technical applications of optics

Photonics is a branch of optics that involves the application of generation, detection, and manipulation of light in form of photons through emission, transmission, modulation, signal processing, switching, amplification, and sensing. Photonics is closely related to quantum electronics, where quantum electronics deals with the theoretical part of it while photonics deal with its engineering applications. Though covering all light's technical applications over the whole spectrum, most photonic applications are in the range of visible and near-infrared light. The term photonics developed as an outgrowth of the first practical semiconductor light emitters invented in the early 1960s and optical fibers developed in the 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Night-vision device</span> Device that allows visualization of images in levels of light approaching total darkness

A night-vision device (NVD), also known as a night optical/observation device (NOD) or night-vision goggle (NVG), is an optoelectronic device that allows visualization of images in low levels of light, improving the user's night vision. The device enhances ambient visible light and converts near-infrared light into visible light which can be seen by the user; this is known as I2 (image intensification). By comparison, viewing of infrared thermal radiation is referred to as thermal imaging and operates in a different section of the infrared spectrum. A night vision device usually consists of an image intensifier tube, a protective housing, and may have some type of mounting system. Many NVDs also include a protective sacrificial lens, mounted over the front lens (ie. objective lens) on NVDs to protect the latter from damage by environmental hazards, and some can incorporate telescopic lenses. The image produced by an NVD is typically monochrome green, as green was considered to be the easiest color to look at for prolonged periods in the dark. Night vision devices may be passive, relying solely on ambient light, or may be active, using an IR (infrared) illuminator to visualize the environment better.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T-90</span> Russian third-generation main battle tank

The T-90 is a third-generation Russian main battle tank developed to replace the T-72. It uses a 125 mm 2A46 smoothbore main gun, the 1A45T fire-control system, an upgraded engine, and gunner's thermal sight. Standard protective measures include a blend of steel and composite armour, smoke grenade dischargers, Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armour (ERA) and the Shtora infrared anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) jamming system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arjun (tank)</span> Main battle tank

The Arjun is a third generation main battle tank developed by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), for the Indian Army. The tank is named after Arjuna, the archer prince who is the main protagonist of the Indian epic poem Mahabharata. Design work began in 1986 and was finished in 1996. The Arjun main battle tank entered service with the Indian Army in 2004. The 43rd Armoured Regiment, formed in 2009, was the first regiment to receive the Arjun.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RBS 70</span> Swedish man-portable air-defense system

RBS 70 is a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) designed for anti-aircraft warfare in all climate zones and with little to no support from other forces. Originally designed and manufactured by the Swedish defence firm of Bofors Defence. It uses the RB 70 missile, which is also in use in a number of other Swedish missile systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EOTech</span> American electro-optic company

EOTECH is an American company that designs, manufactures, and markets electro-optic and night vision products and systems. The company is headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan. They produce holographic weapon sights for small arms that have been adopted by various military and law enforcement agencies as close quarters battle firearm sights.

The Special Operations Peculiar MODification (SOPMOD) kit is an accessory system for the M4A1 carbine, CQBR, FN SCAR Mk 16/17, HK416 and other weapons used by United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) special forces units, though it is not specific to SOCOM. The kit allows US Special Operations Forces personnel to configure their weapons to individual preferences and customize for different mission requirements.

The Defence Industry of Pakistan, established in September 1951, mainly falls under the purview of the Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP). It aims to foster collaboration and oversee the diverse range of military production facilities that have emerged since Pakistan's independence. The MoDP comprises specialized organizations, each dedicated to various aspects of the defence industry, including research and development, production, and administration.

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is an Indian Government-owned aerospace and defence electronics company. It primarily manufactures advanced electronic products for ground and aerospace applications. BEL is one of sixteen PSUs under the Ministry of Defence of India. It has been granted Navratna status by the Government of India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teledyne FLIR</span> U.S. technology company

Teledyne FLIR LLC, formerly FLIR Systems Inc,, a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies, specializes in the design and production of thermal imaging cameras and sensors. Its main customers are governments and in 2020, approximately 31% of its revenues were from the federal government of the United States and its agencies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 80/88 main battle tank</span> Main battle tank

The Type 80 and the Type 88 are a family of Chinese second-generation main battle tanks (MBTs). They are also known as the ZTZ80 and ZTZ88.

Ophir Optronics Solutions is a multinational company that sells optronics solutions. The company develops, manufactures and markets infrared (IR) optics and laser measurement equipment. Founded in 1976, the company was traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange from 1991 until it was acquired, and was a constituent of its Tel-tech index. Headquartered in the Har Hotzvim industrial park in Jerusalem, Israel Ophir owns a 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m2) complex that includes the group's main production plant. Ophir has additional production plants in North Andover, Massachusetts and Logan, Utah in the US and sales offices in the US, Japan and Europe. In 2006, Ophir acquired Spiricon Group, a US-based company in the beam-profiling market. Ophir's sales increased sharply from $45 million in 2005 to $74 million in 2007. During 2007, Ophir established a Swiss-based subsidiary to market lenses and components for surveillance and imaging systems in Europe. In May 2010, Ophir acquired Photon Inc., another US-based beam-profiling company. Newport Corporation, a global supplier in photonics solutions, completed its acquisition of the Ophir company in October 2011. In 2016, metrology firm MKS Instruments bought Newport Corporation, including the Ophir brand, for $980 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simrad Optronics</span>

Simrad Optronics AS is the holding company of Simrad Optronics Group located in Nøtterøy, Norway. Simrad Optronics Group is a global niche supplier to the defence industry, with production facilities in Norway and Maine, United States. Daughter companies include Vinghøg AS at Nøtterøy, Norway and Vingtech Corporation in Maine, United States. The company was listed on Oslo Stock Exchange until July 2010. As of July 12, 2010 Rheinmetall AG is the company's sole shareholder; following a voluntary offer of May 12 to acquire all issued and outstanding shares in the company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Defence (Pakistan)</span> Pakistani government ministry responsible for military and national defense matters

The Ministry of Defence, is an executive ministry of the federal Government of Pakistan, tasked in defending national interests and territorial integrity of Pakistan. The MoD oversees mission execution of its policies and supervises all agencies of the government directly related to the national security and the Pakistan Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Defence Production (Pakistan)</span> Ministry of the federal government of Pakistan

The Ministry of Defence Production abbreviated as MoDP, is an executive ministry of the federal Government of Pakistan with objectives of development and production of ordnance and machinery for the Pakistan Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Photonics mast</span> External optical sensor on a submarine which functions similarly to a periscope

A photonics mast is a sensor on a submarine which functions similarly to a periscope without requiring a periscope tube, thus freeing design space during construction and limiting risks of water leakage in the event of damage. A photonics mast replaces the mechanical, line-of-sight viewing system with digital equipment, similar to a digital camera array, and it has fewer locational and dimensional constraints than a traditional periscope.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AN/PVS-4</span> US passive night vision scope

AN/PVS-4 is the U.S. military designation for a specification of the first second generation passive Night vision device.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AN/PSQ-20</span> US military night vision goggle

The AN/PSQ-20 Enhanced Night Vision Goggle (ENVG) is a third-generation passive monocular night vision device developed for the United States Armed Forces by ITT Exelis. It fuses image-intensifying and thermal-imaging technologies, enabling vision in conditions with very little light. The two methods can be used simultaneously or individually. The ENVG was selected by the US Army's Program Executive Office Soldier as a supporting device for the Future Force Warrior program in 2004, and is intended to replace the older AN/PVS-7 and AN/PVS-14 systems. Although more expensive and heavier than previous models, US Special Forces began using the goggles in 2008 and the US Army's 10th Mountain Division began fielding the AN/PSQ-20 in 2009. Improvements to the goggles have been attempted to make them lighter, as well as enabling the transmission of digital images to and from the battlefield.

References

  1. Lele, Ajey (20 October 2012). Asian Space Race: Rhetoric or Reality?. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 280. ISBN   978-81-322-0733-7.
  2. "Institute of Optronics (IOP)". www.epicos.com. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  3. 1 2 Jane's Electro-optic Systems. Jane's Information Group. 2005. ISBN   978-0-7106-2620-2 . Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  4. "Directorate General Research & Development Establishment(DGRDE)". Research and Development Establishment.
  5. 1 2 Siddiqa-Agha, A. (20 March 2001). Pakistan's Arms Procurement and Military Buildup, 1979-99: In Search of a Policy. United States: Springer. p. 231. ISBN   978-0-230-51352-5 . Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  6. "Institute of Optronics (IOP)".
  7. Defence Journal. 1987. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  8. "Institute of Optronics". AcronymAttic. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  9. Alam, Dr Shah (1 July 2012). Pakistan Army: Modernisation, Arms Procurement and Capacity Building. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. ISBN   978-93-81411-79-7 . Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "OPTRONICS SOLUTIONS". Research and Development Establishment.