Naval Platform Aero-Optic Turbulence and Mitigation Methodology

Clear Science Corp. and the University of Texas at Austin will develop and demonstrate technology that accurately quantifies aero-optical distortion associated with high-energy laser (HEL) weapons on rotorcraft and will utilize the information in designing adaptive optics (AO) systems to maximize HEL system performance over the full range of flight conditions. Aero-optical distortion arises from vortical structures in the downwash flow during hover and in the wake during forward flight. Our team will utilize state-of-the-art rotorcraft wind tunnel facilities and computational models to develop and evaluate AO software and hardware. Flow simulations and direct measurements of aero-optical effects in the wind tunnel will provide data for statistical analyses of the flow dynamics and system specifications that match feedback algorithms, sensor and actuator bandwidths, and on-board processor speeds with the relevant temporal and spatial time scales. Candidate AO systems will be designed to minimize sensing, processing, and actuation latencies and compensate for measurement errors due to platform vibrations, sensor misalignment, and other disturbances. The objective is a robust, closed-loop adaptive optics system, providing optimal, reliable performance over the full range of helicopter operating conditions.