2. History

2.1 Main reasons for the development of military optronics

When it comes to military optronics applications, the question arises:

"Why use optronics when there are radar techniques whose performance has been steadily improving since the Second World War, and for which considerable sums have been invested? In answer to this question, two arguments prevail:

• although, for atmospheric transmission reasons, optronics cannot replace radar in all circumstances, optronics and radar often have complementary qualities that are indispensable in a coherent system;

• the performance that can be expected from optronics really does meet the needs expressed for modern weapons systems, as well as...