BAE Systems has secured a $12 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to advance sensor technology capable of withstanding extreme temperatures.
Under the contract, BAE Systems’ FAST Labs division will develop an advanced pressure sensor module designed to maintain optimal performance in extreme heat conditions.
The module will integrate a transducer with signal-conditioning microelectronics, enabling reliable operation at temperatures up to 800 degrees Celsius (1,472 degrees Fahrenheit).
“There is now an ability to pursue high-bandwidth pressure sensors capable of performing in high-temperature environments not previously possible,” said Amrita Masurkar, technology development manager at FAST Labs.
High Operational Temperature Sensors
The initiative falls under DARPA’s High Operational Temperature Sensors (HOTS) program, aimed at developing cutting-edge microelectronic sensors for critical defense and industrial applications.
Many modern systems, such as hypersonic aircraft, missiles, and jet engine turbines, operate in environments with extreme heat.
In 2023, DARPA launched its HOTS program, seeking to create sensors that can perform reliably in high-temperature environments.
Currently, existing sensors are limited in these scenarios, as they cannot function beyond temperatures of 225 degrees Celsius (437 degrees Fahrenheit), which damages the silicon-based circuitry and the packaging that houses it.
“Through the HOTS program, applications such as industrial process control, jet engine prognostics, and space exploration could benefit from collection of real-time data using high-temperature pressure sensors and circuitry,” explained Masurkar.
