High Efficiency Multi-band Mid-Infrared Supercontinuum Fiber Laser for DIRCM

Fixed and rotary winged aircraft require directed infrared counter-measures (DIRCM) systems to self-protect against heat seeking missiles, and the DIRCM multi-spectral light source is a key enabling technology and differentiator. Omni Sciences, Inc. (OSI), has developed a Mid-Infrared Super-Continuum Laser (MISCL) for DIRCM and other DoD applications that uses COTS components from the mature telecom and fiber optics industry. The MISCL generates a continuous spectrum covering much of Bands I-IV, making it difficult for the enemy to defeat by shifting the seeker wavelength acceptance bands. In addition, the MISCL light source has no moving parts and has the potential to be compact, lightweight, reliable and cost-effective. This project will improve efficacy of MISCL prototype against heat seeking missiles. First, the power will be increased and the jamming code modulation enabled to provide 0.5W in Band IV and 1.5W between 2-4 microns with 25% duty cycle. The MISCL wall-plug efficiency will be improved by using a thulium-doped power amplifier stage, and a high quality output spatial beam will be generated that is nearly transform limited. A MISCL prototype that is at technical readiness level TRL-4 or higher will be delivered to the Army for testing at the end of the program.