December 16, 2013
Department of Defense (DoD) technology procurement is undergoing significant changes and reforms mostly driven by economical challenges and funding cutbacks. One change is to push the cost burden of research and development onto defense suppliers, often forcing these companies to employ more of a commercial model of development. In this Q&A with Andrew Teich, the new President and CEO of FLIR Systems, a leading designer and manufacturer of thermal imaging infrared sensors, he discusses how FLIR is navigating these procurement challenges and also discusses how thermal imaging technology will move beyond the military and into the commercial space. Edited excerpts follow.