TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Common Laser Range Finder Refresh - ACAT-IV

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a single integrated Multi-Spectral sensor that incorporates day and night vision and multi-spectral laser spot imaging into a single sensor package.

DESCRIPTION: This integrated technology will enable Forward Air Controllers (FACs) to see the target area and simultaneously see the laser energy from pointers, designator/markers, and rangefinders with one integrated device. Currently, imaging laser pointers and designator/markers is accomplished with multiple devices which together weigh over 14 lbs, a significant load on a FAC whose full load of equipment is 166 lbs. There is no currently fielded device which can see the laser spot from eye-safe laser range finders. The weight and set up time (boresighting) of these devices is substantial. Further, the available InGaAs technology that is available is too expensive and not operationally viable. Similarly, available silicon devices are not practical for field use.

The Integrated Multi-Spectral Sensor must be a visible light day imager capable of simultaneously detecting and tracking the laser energy on a target from the following three sources simultaneously and displaying them in context with the surrounding scene:
- 1540-1560 nanometer (nm), laser class 1 from an eye safe laser range finder (either single pulse or correlation of multiple pulses, each as low as 1 microjoule) , at a range of up to 5km
- 1064nm, laser class 4 from a laser designator (30-90 millijoule per pulse, 20 nanosecond pulse width, 10-20Hz pulse rate) at a range of up to 5km
- 860nm, class 4, 1 Watt continuous IR laser pointer, at a range of up to 5km.
The laser energy will be no larger than a 3.5m circle at a range of 5km and linearly reduce at closer ranges. The sensor shall be of a size, weight, and cost commensurate with a military handheld laser range finder.

The addition of IR imaging in the form of SWIR, MWIR, or LWIR would be of considerable benefit but does not eliminate the need to image with visible light.

PHASE I: Develop a concept for the sensor, including the selection of appropriate sensor technology, that enables the detection of the laser spot from the three color lasers. The concept must either include imaging in both day and nigh, or include the approach to fuse the laser spot location with the data acquired from a co-boresighted thermal imager.

PHASE II: Develop the prototype sensor and demonstrate compliance with performance goals for laser spot detection of all three laser colors and image fusion with a thermal imager, if the sensor cannot be used as a thermal camera.

PHASE III: The expected transition product is a TRL level 6 prototype three color laser spot sensor and
software/hardware required to replace the day camera in the Common Laser Range Finder refresh program, and the software required for image fusion with the thermal imager if the sensor cannot image in the IR band. Upon successful transition, the Program Office will utilize RDT&E funding for a Phase III effort. This effort will require completion of a production representative design for the Common Laser Range Finder Refresh Program that satisfies the performance, cost, logistical, and schedule goals of the Common Laser Range Finder Refresh program.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL: This technology has application to first responders, search and rescue, medical, law enforcement, customs and border patrol, and any other application that requires utilizing a laser pointer to cue others to a particular area.

REFERENCES:

KEYWORDS: laser, imager, IR, designator, fusion, handheld

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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