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If you remove the infrared blocking filter (hot mirror) from many digital cameras, they can see very shortwave near infra red. Forward looking infrared (FLIR)[0] cameras detect long wave infrared, which is what you need for a "thermal" camera.

[0] quite what is "forward looking" about them I don't know

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"forward looking"

Old sensors worked like side-scanning sonar, where the image is built up one row at a time as your vehicle moves forward. Forward looking means you can just point it somewhere and take a 2D picture.

I think the company originally made forward looking infrared sensors for military aircraft.

The name’s just stuck around since.

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