Abstract: An image contrast enhancement technique for use in a forward looking infrared system adapted to adjust the intensity of an image of a scene, the image being realized from electrical signals generated in response to radiation received from a plurality of regions within a field of view of the scene. The technique includes the step of filling a first matrix with digital entries corresponding to each electrical signal, the difference between the maximum and minimum digital entries defining a first dynamic range. The first matrix is sampled to create a set of digital entries having a second dynamic range substantially similar to the first dynamic range. A histogram of the set of digital entries is then constructed. A first transfer function is generated by at least approximating the integral of the histogram, the first transfer function having a value at each of the digital entries.