Image restoration and faulty sensor detection and compensation system and process

A scene-based image restoration system provides maximum local area contrast, to enhance the utility of video images generated from the input of a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system using a detector array (15). While direct current restored images display good ground/sky distinction for "Nap of the Earth" flying techniques, the use of scene data for image restoration is better suited for target detection against uniform backgrounds, e.g., the sky or sea. Scene-based image restoration may be employed along with an alternative of direct current restoration, thereby offering the pilot the option to chose the advantages of each method under various circumstances. The video image is further improved by detecting faulty sensors within the array (15) and compensating for them in generating the video display (17). By adjusting each of the working sensors to an optimum output relative to the other sensors, and eliminating defective sensors from the image generation process, an improved video image results.