SBIR-STTR Award

It is proposed to develop a large area quantum dot light emitting devices to address the problem of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) signature management. Using photo detectors to modulate the color and intensity of incident light on opposing surfaces, flexible light emitting arrays can be actively tuned to make UAVs nearly invisible.

Keywords:
Active Camouflage, Signature Management, Uav, Display, Quantum Dot

Phase I results have successfully demonstrated our active camouflage approach that is aimed at reducing the visibility of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) through controlling the appearance of the surface. Active camouflage will provide a major performance improvement for all classes of military UAVs, since they normally fly low and slow and are vulnerable to attack with simple weapons, especially for urban missions, where foot soldiers can shoot them down with unsophisticated weapons. UAVs are clearly visible in day light, and easy to identify and hide from, or take aim and bring them down. The best way to address this vulnerability is to make the UAV less visible by making it blend in with the background. Our active camouflage technology has shown the capability to reduce UAV visibility, and our Fast Track partner, the Boeing Company, has expressed their strong interest in using QD Vision’s products on their future military systems. This Phase II Project will assess the technology readiness level (TRL) of the proposed camouflage system, and enable significant development to further advance our TRL.

Keywords:
Light Emitting Arrays, Display, Signature Management, Quantum Dot Leds, Qd-Leds, Applique