LIDAR Artillery Meteorology System (LAMS)

Michigan Aerospace Corporation proposes building a breadboard prototype LIDAR instrument that will demonstrate the measurements needed to aid in ordinance delivery. Current methods (launching balloons with meteorological packages) cannot measure atmospheric conditions along actual projectile flight paths. Additionally, the highly-observable current methods endanger the warfighter with increased visibility, significant operation time, and heavy manpower requirements. The LIDAR system developed by Michigan Aerospace Corporation employs a Direct Detection Doppler Wind Lidar (D3WL) and allows near real-time measurement of atmospheric parameters (wind, pressure, temperature) along the ballistic arc. These LIDAR systems operate in the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum at 355nm for eye safety and minimal observability. Michigan Aerospace Corp. is uniquely positioned to develop the Concept Demonstrator LIDAR Artillery Meteorology System (LAMS) due to its extensive experience in the development and fielding of LIDAR and related systems for use in extreme environments (air, near-space, space, ground and marine). The technology developed at Michigan Aerospace Corporation offers significant advantages over the current state-of-the-art and is highly capable of meeting the requirements of the Marine Corps. The capability made possible through this instrument is applicable to areas such as atmospheric mitigation for snipers, long-range gunnery and precision landing zones for manned and unmanned aircraft.