Aerospace and Defense

Overview

Quantum technology is bringing about innovative changes in the defense and aerospace industries. Quantum sensing and quantum optics-based technologies are gaining attention as fields that can be quickly applied in the field. These technologies capture subtle signals and environmental changes that are difficult to detect with existing sensors, further enhancing target detection and environmental analysis capabilities.

The tangible and immediate effects provided by quantum sensing and optical technologies play a crucial role in enhancing the competitiveness of the defense and aerospace industries and securing an advantage in modern battlefields. Beyond scientific research, quantum technology is now rapidly expanding into practical application areas.

Problems faced in the defense sector.

The representative technical challenge faced in the defense sector is that in situations where visibility is severely limited due to fog, sea fog, dust, tear gas, etc., it becomes extremely difficult to identify targets and secure escape routes. These environmental constraints not only threaten the safety of soldiers but also reduce the likelihood of successfully carrying out missions. In some areas, InGaAs cameras have been introduced to partially address these issues; however, the high cost of the equipment poses a significant obstacle to widespread distribution across the military.

Another challenge is the frequent occurrence of difficulties in pinpointing the origins of gunfire and artillery sounds in border areas. This presents a major impediment to tracking enemy positions or establishing immediate response strategies. Especially in environments with complex terrain or where sound is reflected in multiple directions, these issues can further intensify, potentially diminishing the effectiveness of combat.

Solution of SDT -
Information Surveillance and Reconnaissance Using Quantum Dot SWIR Cameras

The quantum dot camera is a new type of image sensor technology that utilizes quantum dots. By leveraging the unique quantum mechanical properties of quantum dots, it provides high sensitivity even in low-light environments, allowing for clear image capture in conditions with fog, sea fog, smoke, and dust.

SDT's quantum dot Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) camera maintains high sensitivity across the visible, NIR, and SWIR wavelength ranges, even when smoke is generated by smoke grenades or fire, penetrating fine particles like smoke or dust, and clearly identifying targets, significantly enhancing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities.

Solution of SDT -
Gunshot and Artillery Sound Tracking Using DAS

SDT applies Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), based on a type of quantum optics technology known as Rayleigh Scattering, to military fields. SDT's DAS technology uses fiber optic cables to collect acoustic and vibration data and analyzes it to detect the origin of gunshots and artillery noises.

The fiber optics installed in border areas detect changes in surrounding sounds, vibrations, and pressure to locate the sound waves generated by gunfire and shelling. When sound waves are detected at various points along the fiber optic, DAS calculates the location of the sound source based on the time difference of arrival of the sound waves at each point using triangulation techniques to derive the origin coordinates.