Characterization of Ultraviolet Propagation in the Atmosphere (CUPA) for the Joint Standard Instrumentation System (JSIS)

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to design, fabricate, demonstrate and deliver an ozone differential absorption lidar system for the Characterization of Ultraviolet Propagation in the Atmosphere (CUPA) effort that meets the specified environmental and key performance parameter (KPP) requirements. During the first year of the program PSI and subsidiary Q-Peak will develop the laser transmitter, transmitter and receiver optics bench and data acquisition subsystems for the ozone lidar system. The subsystems will be integrated into an engineering prototype that will be tested against the KPP requirements. During Year 2 PSI will demonstrate the field packaged engineering prototype locally. It will then be integrated into the Joint Standard Instrumentation System (JSIS) in collaboration with the Arnold Engineering and Development Complex (AEDC). It will be demonstrated during a live fire event. A successful Phase II effort will provide JSIS with new capability to provide needed atmospheric propagation metadata to improve missile signature simulations. A follow-on Phase III effort will complete spiral upgrades to the design and ultimately supply additional CUPA lidar units to JSIS leading ultimately to insertion into programs testing infrared countermeasure technology.