Threat Assessment Sensor Suite (TASS)

ABSTRACT: A sensor concept called Enhanced GEMINI is proposed which exploits a passive visible CMOS imaging array, a new concept in very high sensitivity 3D SWIR Lidar arrays coupled with high pulse rate SWIR fiber lasers, and an extension of state-of-the art in Lamellar Micro-Spectrometers. These sensing capabilities are used in a single compact, multimode sensor design which a) performs passive visible search out to over 800 km and active 3D search out to 5 km while searching a full hemisphere every 8 seconds, b) high resolution 2D and 3D tracking and imaging of targets entering the proximity of the host vehicle, and c) the capability for analyzing the pulse wavelengths, pulse energies, and pulse rates while in either a search/track mode or a recognition/track mode. Two sensors can provide full spherical coverage around the host vehicle. Low SWaP enables deployment on a wide variety of hosts with minimized impact. BENEFIT: Two new fundamental technologies, the 3D very high sensitivity Lidar receiver and the extended spectral response Lamellar Micro-spectrometer are fundamental advances in the state-of-the-art which will have broad application. For the Enhanced GEMINI concept these technologies enable an entirely new capability in active 3D large volume search and a capability for detection and analysis of laser illumination of the host vehicle across a very broad spectral region which can be integrated with more tradition passive search/track/identification sensors. Accomplishing this in a low SWaP sensor installation with minimum impact on the host vehicles will enable a practical, cost effective improvement in the survivability of critical US space assets. Further, the technologies to be developed during this project will create new opportunities for wide area security surveillance applications, for monitoring chemical contaminations, and for improved 3D Imaging.