A LIDAR for Mapping Dense Aerosols

Ophir proposes to develop a multi-wavelength, multiple-aperture, aerosol lidar capable of mapping the temporal and spatial characteristics of an evolving obscurant cloud. Ophir will leverage our expertise in developing aerosol lidar for aviation applications. Like Ophir?s existing aerosol lidar systems, Ophir?s proposed aerosol mapping lidar enables profiling through optically thick clouds with sufficient speed and sensitivity for volumetric scanning and mapping. Smoke and obscuration are cost effective force multipliers; however, the effectiveness of obscurants is compromised with advanced sensors and precision guided munitions that can ?see through? the obscurant. Spectrally selective obscurants can counter both infrared and visual detection. But, obscurant clouds may not be evenly dispersed - a portion of the cloud provides excellent screening, but lower concentration areas provide an opportunity for the enemy to acquire a target. The Ophir Aerosol Mapping Lidar (AML) will be uniquely developed to meet the U.S. Army?s needs for future obscurant test and evaluation. The Phase I effort entails a requirements analysis, determination of optimal system design, sensor performance analyses, and development of the Phase II prototype design and test program. This technology is at TRL 6 with the intent of reaching TRL 7 by the end of the Phase II effort.