Advanced Adaptive Optics (AO) for Laser Weapons in Heavy Turbulence

This proposal addresses the NAVY needs and requirements for innovative solutions in laser beam control technology. To address this problem AS&T proposes to develop and demonstrate the performance of the BeaconLess Adaptive-optic System and Technology (BLAST). The role of BLAST is to enhance the capabilities in controlling of a high-power beam of NAVY Laser Weapon System (LaWS), enabling its tight focusing on an extended image-resolved target in conditions that are typical for a maritime moderate to deep turbulence environment. This will be achieved by using a specifically designed and developed optical system capable of: (i) selective detection of the fragments of the target-returned coherent or incoherent radiation, (ii) deriving the wave-function associated with detecting the fundamental features of the radiation scattered by a rough-surface target. In the proposed concept it is considered that on the illuminated area on the target each point of its surface generate a spherical wave that then back-propagates and gets detected by the receiver. The ability to select patches of the target-scattered wave-field at the receiver end allows the BLAST system to form the Beacon that is an essential element of any Adaptive Optics system required for an effective operation of the laser beam control platform.