An SME in Lévis has just sold a high-tech imaging system to the US Department of Defense, which is already attracting considerable interest from other NATO countries.

Founded in 2003, LR Tech specializes in atmospheric sounding (used in particular for weather forecasting) and military remote sensing.

“Our customers turn to us when no commercial product meets their needs,” the company’s website says.

$2.5 million contract

A few years ago, the Canadian Defense asked LR Tech to develop a new generation of high-resolution hyperspectral sensors. This technology makes it possible to determine the precise chemical composition of remote surfaces.

The LR Tech device, dubbed SpIRS, lived up to expectations. As a result, Ottawa awarded the Quebec City-area company a $2.5 million order to purchase two copies of the SpIRS. They were delivered last summer.

The achievement of the Quebec SME did not go unnoticed in the Pentagon. In August, the US Department of Defense placed an order for a SpIRS system, and this is likely just the beginning.

“We are part of a huge program that can lead to many things,” says Luc Rochette, President and Founder of LR Tech. According to him, Washington could buy at least four SpIRS devices.

Help rockets see better

The SpIRS is not yet deployed in a combat situation, but the goal is that one day it may allow homing missiles to avoid attacking “friendly” aircraft.

How ? By examining the gas trail produced by an airplane’s engines.

“Each motor has a unique infrared signature,” notes Rochette.

The LR Tech device could also be used to improve the energy efficiency of aircraft engines, again by analyzing their emissions.

“And there are other applications that I don’t know about myself,” slips Luc Rochette, alluding to the secrecy of military activities.

Italy has already expressed an interest in SpIRS and it is only a matter of time before other NATO countries show interest, including new NATO State party Atlantic Finland.

Improved version coming soon

At Ottawa’s request, LR Tech is already working on an improved version of its device that would allow detection up to a distance of…100 kilometers!

“That means you can’t see anything at all, but you can guess what kind of fuel is burning in the distance,” enthuses Mr. Rochette.

LR Tech is used to doing business with the US government. The company has received multiple contracts from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

For example, a device from LR Tech can generate weather data every three minutes. Currently, the most common way to get this information is by launching probing balloons…twice a day.

Luc Rochette is not yet of retirement age, but he is already worried about the future of his company, which employs 24 people.

“Honestly, it’s difficult to find a replacement,” he says. There are two big companies that bought me about five or six years ago. I said no, but it’s certain that if I can’t find a replacement… I don’t want it to die either. I want this story to continue. Will Foreigners Buy? I wouldn’t like to. I wish it had stayed here. »

LR Tech in brief

• Specialty : Spectroradiometry solutions suitable for the meteorological, defense and aerospace sectors
• Foundation, endowment : 2003
• Employees : 24
• Annual income: more than 6 million dollars