Innovative Semi-Active Laser (SAL) Signal Processing Techniques in Noisy Environments

This proposed Phase II effort is a continuation of the SBIR Phase I contract (W31P4Q-13-0014) which identified several potential areas of improvement in signal processing for semi-active laser seekers in noisy, dirty-battlefield or countermeasure environments. A list of innovative processing algorithms to address these issues was down-selected to the four highest pay-off innovations: Smart Tracking, Smart Scanning, Clock Synchronization and Multi-Gate Processing. Each offers a substantial performance boost in one or more of the following areas: dealing with atmospheric backscatter and battlefield obscurants, electro-optical countermeasure rejection, enhanced seeker sensitivity, clutter rejection and improved target acquisition. Each innovation appears to be technically feasible and practical for use. Semi-Active Laser Guidance has been a preferred air-to-ground guidance mechanism of all four US services for decades with notable improvements in hardware capabilities but no matching updates in many of the key signal processing algorithms. To maintain technical superiority over our adversaries, antiquated processing techniques must be modernized. GRA proposes that these innovations be fully developed with the expectation of near-term use in at least the widely-used HELLFIRE-R system. Once demonstrated, these techniques are expected to become standard features in many systems.