Optical Velocity Sensors for Navigation of Small Munitions

To address the Air Force need for improved navigation of small munitions in GPS-denied environments, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Optical Velocity Sensor (OVS) system. The proposed compact, low-cost sensors will use a self-mixing interferometric technique and light backscattering from air around a munition"s skin for the determination of the munition"s velocity and its angular velocity of roll, pitch, and yaw. The innovation in sensor design will enable fabrication of compact sensors capable of precise operation in a wide range of velocities. As a result, these sensors can be installed into new and already available types of small munitions as an auxiliary tool to the inertial measurement unit for improving munitions navigation accuracy without GPS signals. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed sensor system through the theoretical modeling and experimental demonstration of sensors operation in a fast-moving truck. In Phase II, POC plans to fabricate the full sensor system and deliver it for testing at government facilities. BENEFIT: The proposed sensor system will be used by all military services for improving navigation of various munitions. It can be easily modified for the utilization of light reflection from the ground for navigation of military vehicles or dismounted soldiers without a GPS. It can be used by commercial or industrial users for navigation in mountain terrains or in"city jungles"where a GPS signal is not always available. It is especially useful for use is in large buildings and underground facilities (as mines) for tracking personal movement.