DE Optical Turbulence Collection Sensor

MZAs expertise in making turbulence measurements at key air bases, developing robust modeling methods for turbulence from Air Force weather reporting, and applying comprehensive weather/turbulence modeling to laser directed energy (DE) systems will be applied in the current project.The approach relies on turbulence sensors that provide path-resolved Cn2 measurements, place a minimal requirement on downrange instrumentation, and can function on a non-interference basis with existing air or battlefield operations, without imposing collateral hazards.We will assess existing and near-term turbulence sensors for practicality of integration at air bases and rapidly deployed operation centers.We will quantify requirements for the installation altitude of the sensors and the update rates required to provide adequate volumetric sampling around the sensor.We will extend surface-level turbulence modeling from Air Force Weather data to include full volumes by rectifying turbulence modeling discrepancies with path-resolved turbulence measurements.We will develop a process for continually updating the accuracy of turbulence modeling from optical turbulence measurements.These innovations will enable a software design for a DE environmental decision system, which couples the volumetric atmospheric characterization, grounded with the turbulence measurements, with validated DE weapons models for threats placed arbitrarily through the modeled volume.