Laser radar systems for multi-dimensional imaging and information gathering

The battlefield in future conflicts will be increasingly complex, consisting of friend, foe, and neutral forces. Recognition and identification of airborne and ground objects at significant ranges is therefore a critical requirement for targeting systems. Laser radar sensors offer several advantages including covert interrogation because of the high directionality of the laser beam and robust recognition because of the variety of information that can be measured. In addition to the requirement to perform the targeting function at extended ranges, modern forces are also under budget constraints. These constraints make it necessary to combine functions for avionics whenever possible. The only other laser function currently performed on military aircraft is target designation. Therefore, for the laser radar function, we desire to use the same solid-state laser source used in the laser designator. From a cost point of view it is also desirable to acquire the information about the target on one or as few pulses as possible. Such an approach minimizes the sensor stabilization requirements that often drive the cost of the system.