Miniature Stabilized Gimbal Laser Pointing System

ABSTRACT: Ascendant Engineering Solutions (AES) proposes to develop a novel architecture for stabilizing/pointing a laser designator beam by using a high-bandwidth beam steering mechanism (BSM), and gyro feed forward within a small two-axis stabilized gimbal. AES will leverage its previous development and design verification testing experience for a sub 4-inch stabilized gimbal designed for UAV environments. AES will model the BSM, an optimized two-axis gimbal, including the gyro and target tracker to demonstrate performance toward meeting the 25rad goal. In addition, AES will optionally build, integrate and test this BSM subsystem to verify its critical performance in a Lab Demonstration System, greatly reducing the risk of developing a complete stabilized gimbal systems-level solution for Phase II. AES will also leverage its experience in thermal management of high heat density packages for efficient transfer of heat to the external surfaces for direct convection cooling. AES has the engineering resources and capabilities to develop this design into a full-fledged product for a Phase III or other commercialization effort. AES has established working relationships with multiple defense contractors that will be tapped for sourcing end products to the DoD. BENEFIT: The U.S. Military UAV market alone is forecast to continue to grow at a 10% Compound Annual Growth Rate. AES"precision laser stabilization/pointing solution provides a significant performance improvement without a significant increase in SWaP or cost enabling more advanced missions for current and future UAVs. This includes precision laser designation/marking/range finding with reduced risk of collateral damage for more military units in the field and improved situational awareness via range finding and illumination for DoD, DHS, and"first responders"applications. Small form factor lasers with higher performance stabilization/pointing could also benefit critical alignment applications as seen in pipeline construction, particle accelerators, and laser line of sight communications.