Our Mission
American Infrared Solutions was formed in 2011 by several proven leaders from the EO/IR industry to address the unique needs of demanding military and scientific customers. We are passionate about creating solutions for the most challenging applications, and we have a deep respect for our clients.
Our expertise in IDCA integration and optical system design, coupled with the freedom to source the optimal mix of components for your application makes us the ideal partner.
Our team has over 150 years of combined experience in infrared imaging with veterans of many of the leading companies in advanced imaging including General Dynamics, FLIR, GE Aerospace, ICX and UTC. We have extensive experience in defense program partnering, scientific systems and industrial applications.
Located in Hudson New Hampshire, in the heart of the United States infrared technology belt, our facility offers full assembly, service, and testing capability for IDCAs, electronics and optical systems.
As a merchant supplier to leading defense and scientific companies, we appreciate the proprietary nature of your development and operate with full discretion and propriety. We encourage interested parties to reach out by phone and talk with our engineering team to learn more.
Leadership
President
Dan Manitakos
Mr. Manitakos brings over 30 years of experience in the EO/IR industry to the AIRS team. Dan has worked as an engineer, manager and executive leader for various world leading infrared and security companies throughout his career. Prior to founding AIRS, Dan held the position of Vice President Surveillance at General Dynamics Global Imaging Technologies where he was instrumental in the sale of Axsys Technologies to General Dynamics as well as managing the day to day operations. Other experiences include President of Surveillance at ICX Technologies.
Prior to ICX, Dan had a long tenure of 18 years at FLIR Boston resulting in company growth in excess of 40% annually for the last 7 years of his tenure. Mr. Manitakos holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Lowell, a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University and an Executive Master’s in Business Administration Degree from Suffolk University. Dan is also the inventor on 5 US patents.
With over 30 years of professional business and engineering experience Mr. Herring has served in multiple capacities including Product Manager, Director and Vice President of Engineering for companies such as Infametrics, FLIR and General Dynamics. Mr. Herring has led and managed major EO/IR programs supporting a wide range of missions and thermal imaging technology advancements. Mr. Herring holds BSEE & MSEE from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and an MBA from Northeastern University. Mr. Herring has led the development efforts of many of the world’s most innovative and demanding IR camera systems widely in use today. Rob has a particular expertise in building and leading high-performance design teams.
Joe brings more than 30 years of experience in the electro-optics industry, with an extensive background in designing high performance systems for airborne and ground-based defense. As the Discipline Chief for Focal Plane Arrays at Collins Aerospace, Joe had technical responsibility for overseeing the development of several airborne multi-spectral focal plane arrays and related electronics. As the Director of Advanced Development at FLIR Systems, he focused on low power, hand-held systems. Joe holds both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Bob Papinsick’s experience spans over 35 years in the electro-optics industry, working as engineer, program and product manager for various world leading DOD and tactically oriented electro-optical companies. At the beginning of his career Bob had a tenure of 10 years at GE Aerospace where he worked on a collection of tactical active gated low light television [including DX rated] programs with an eventual migration to thermal opto-mechanical systems. The thermal engineering challenges Bob faced involved advanced design and development of multi-axis gimbal and IDCAs in support of various Infrared Search and Track System programs. The IRSTS programs were the genesis for some of the industry first metal, directly integrated Dewar assemblies, enabling for larger format arrays, faster cool down and higher MTTF systems.
Bob worked at Loral, where he was promoted to manager of the detector packaging group, focusing on developing IDCAs for government SADA program variants as well as other custom IDCA programs.
Bob became the Thermal Products Manager at Insight Technology where he and his technical team provided the government with the first advanced head wearable and Close Quarter Battle sight thermal vision devices. Amongst those including advanced fused goggles and ENVG, providing the foundation for the company’s eventual large program wins on advanced variants of ENVG and CQB sight.
Prior to coming onboard AIRS, Bob was the program manager for the Next Generation MK-47 Fire Control system at General Dynamics Global Imaging Technologies where he was instrumental in the developmental success and, received the GD-AIS divisional Engineering Excellence Award for his efforts.
Bob holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson College.
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