I have found the images of the LANTIRN Thermal navigation pod internals
I am having some doubts about posting such in the public domain though ! The unit was dated 2001 so not exactly ancient technology. Posting technical pictures and details of an F-15 related thermal imaging technology may not be the brightest of ideas. I was surprised that the scrap dealer obtained a complete pod that was actually unused stores stock with only 4 hours on its cooler. When discussing the more advanced thermal imaging technologies we do have to consider why such is not already documented in the public domain.
Anyway, apologies to the OP for the off topic discussion. Now back to the topic of LN2 cooled cameras
I own two LN2 cooled cameras, the AGA 680 thermal microscope and the AGA 780 series portable thermal imaging scanner. Neither will ever see LN2 again as they are museum pieces. I did look into sourcing LN2 and what the costs would be. Sadly in the UK, unless you are well connected with a Technical University, it is actually quite hard to obtain small quantities of LN2 on an ad-hoc basis. The storage Dewars are quite expensive as well. It quickly became apparent to me that the cost of providing LN2 for my two antique cameras far exceeded any benefit of getting them running. The situation with the LN2 cooled Amber cameras is very different though. Those cameras are worth the cost and effort of the LN2 sourcing and associated equipment. I was not previously aware of the need to refresh the vacuum on the dewars of those detector housings and was similarly unaware of the extensive equipment requirement to pull that vacuum to the required level. As has already been stated, these cameras are well suited to science roles where LN2 and associated vacuum pumps are more common. I will stick to Stirling coolers and can understand why the Stirling mechanical cooler was such a welcome development for many industrial users of cooled thermal imaging systems. We actually had an AGEMA THV880 scanning thermal camera upgraded to a Stirling cooler by AGEMA in Sweden. We were one of the first to have that upgrade installed and it cost a small fortune.
Pictures added…
AGEMA 880 LN2 model
AGEMA 880 with Stirling Cooler upgrade mounted on rear
AGA 780 series portable LN2 cooled system
AGA 680 LN2 cooled camera …. Early thermal imaging ! Not exactly small or light in weight !
Fraser