used in the Navy, their principles of operation are
basically the same.
A typical FLIR system contains several weapons
replaceable assemblies (WRAs). These WRAs are as
follows:
receiver-converter, power supply-video
converter, control servomechanism, target tracking
sight control, infrared detecting set control, and video
indicator. Figure 6-9 shows the block diagram of a
typical FLIR system. You should refer to the block
diagram as you read about the FLIR system
components.
RECEIVER-CONVERTER ASSEMBLY
The receiver-converter assembly contains all of
the optics and electronics used to detect and convert
IR energy into a single-channel video output to be
processed by the power supply-video converter
assembly. The processed video output is applied to
the video indicator. The receiver-converter assembly
contains gyros, gimbals, and drive motors to aim and
stabilize the receiver section in azimuth and elevation.
It also contains a heat exchanger to circulate
conditioned air throughout the assembly and a
refrigerator unit to keep the IR detectors cooled to
cryogenic temperatures.
The receiver-converter
assembly is housed in either the forward section of a
station-mounted FLIR pod (fig. 6-10) or in its own
pod, mounted on the forward lower part of the
aircraft’s fuselage (fig. 6-11). The housing used is
dependent on the aircraft model.
Functionally, the receiver-converter breaks down
into four subsystems as follows:
IR to composite video conversion
Temperature control
Positioning and stabilization
BITE (built-in test equipment)
Figure 6-11.-Receiver-converter pod shown in operating position.
232.181
6-9
