FLIR Camera

FLIR is an acronym for Forward Looking InfraRed. It originated in the military and aerospace sectors in the 1950s to 1960s when infrared imaging systems were first being developed for aircraft to detect heat signatures ahead of the flight path. The early systems would use a single element infrared detector to sweep the path in front of the aircraft (forward looking) for thermal variations in the terrain. The horizontal movement of the aircraft across the scene added the dimension necessary to see a two-dimensional infrared map of a given area without using the two-dimensional infrared detector technology common today.

For newer commercial applications in predictive maintenance, building diagnostics, research, security and a wide variety of other applications, FLIR is a recognized brand name for infrared cameras made by Teledyne FLIR®. Teledyne FLIR® also has a broad product range of IR cameras supporting military applications where the reference to “FLIR Camera” is used both to describe a generic IR camera or to specifically reference the manufacturer.

When “FLIR Camera” is used, it could be referencing anything from an infrared camera manufactured by Teledyne/FLIR® for defense applications to a generic thermal camera made by any manufacturer for a commercial application.