What does 17um technology mean here?

[CatalinaWOW]

Perhaps some better Google Fu.  Try a search on VLWIR.  Gives me 38000 results.  Use your imagination and you should be able to come up with others.  Think about the interchangeability of frequency and wavelength.  Think about stoichiometry in HgCdTe detectors.  And while you are at it, look up atmospheric transmission.

Have you looked up the book I suggested?

[Bill W]

Is the method by which LWIR cameras can be made to see longer wavelengths than 14um simply a top secret military technology? Is that why I can't find anything about it in Google searches?

Not really, just not having any air in the way

http://blair.pha.jhu.edu/spectroscopy/figures/trans.gif

[bap2703]

And also optics made of mirrors can help --> totally telescope compatible