Monolithic Line-of-Sight Stabilized (MLOSS) Laser

ABSTRACT:Laser designation and marking is critical in today's high precision combat environment. Performance is limited by how well the soldier can hold the laser beam onto the target. Current fielded laser designator systems minimize beam pointing error by employing a heavy 'stabilized' mount. Having to carry a current fielded stabilized laser system with the heavy tripod impairs the combat effectiveness of the soldier. A smaller, lighter laser designator/marker system will enhance the soldiers mobility and reduce his fatigue. A miniature, lightweight laser beam stabilizer component is required for these systems to maintain the required volume and weight of the laser designator/marker. To address this problem Aret is developing a Monolithic LOS Stabilized (MLOSS) laser designator/marker system based on state of the art laser beam steering technology that leverages on going technology development in the area of miniature stabilization and measurement devices. Arets design approach for MLOSS focuses on integration into the existing optical bench such as that of the AIRTRAC laser designator/marker currently under development for the US Air Force (contract No. FA8651-13-C-0012). Arets approach to address the stabilized laser designator results in a compact robust package that minimally impacts the weight and power of the designator with no change in the current volume of the system. A notional operational concept for the MLOSS system provides the soldier with a continuous stabilized system, enabling effective handheld laser designation in a mobile combat environment.BENEFIT:A smaller, lighter laser designator system will enhance the soldiers mobility and reduce his fatigue. The MLOSS technology can be readily and cost effectively adapted to fielding compact laser radars, coded covert (free-space-optics) line-of-sight communications capabilities and serve as high-accuracy optical trackers for engaging tactical targets. Dual use applications include laser rangefinders, laser warning devices, laser illuminators, laser markers, and laser pointers.