Incorporation of a Linear Drive Cryogenic Cooler into the AN/AAR-44 Infrared Warning Receiver
Abstract
The cryogenic coolers used in many infrared systems are the systems' Achilles heel in terms of reliability. We demonstrated a new technology linear drive cooler in an AN/AAR-44 missile warning receiver. Although this modification will not be fielded in the AAR-44, many optically guided missiles, targeting systems, night vision devices, and commercial thermal imaging systems employ similar cooled detectors. We present this report in the hope that the results will be useful to some of the numerous other systems that employ cryogenic coolers. The AAR-44 is an electro-optical system used on about 100 specially equipped C-130 and C-141 aircraft. When designed in the late 1970s, it employed a state-of-the-art sterling cycle rotary drive cryogenic cooler. Production in the 1980s used an improved reliability rotary cooler, incorporating better processes and materials and a temperature control circuit. However, the cooler still contributed half of the failures and most of the maintenance cost WR-ALC/LNXEA initiated this project when a new generation of off-the-shelf linear drive coolers became available in the late 1980s. Discussions with the AAR-44 contractor, Cincinnati Electronics, revealed that a new insulating dewar (thermos bottle) would further enhance reliability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 08, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA331725
Entities
People
- David Farrier