Measurement of laser irradiance on target for directed energy weapons

The Laser Irradiance Measurement on Target (LIMT) project will provide a sensor mesh for direct, on-target measurement of laser beam characteristics of interest (e.g., irradiance level, beam size, time history of beam shape). Activities during Phase 1 of this project include identification and prioritization of requirements; design of system and subsystem components; evaluation of component designs against customer-defined requirements (including hardware testing of components as required); and recommendation for development and implementation in Phase 2. Analysis will provide sufficient data for improving lethality of US laser weapons and hardening US systems against the effects from opposition laser weapons. BENEFIT: AEgis has received Government and commercial requests for lower irradiance instrumentation from Air Force, Navy, and Boeing-SVS customers. We have received specific design requirements from NSWC-Dahlgren and AFRL/RDTA that support counter-UAS testing at a venue called “Black Dart” (an annual field demonstration held at China Lake that was initially focused on the asymmetric attack threat of COTS UAS technology). This event is now sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (OSD AT&L) and co-sponsored by the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Office (JIAMDO). This is a recurring venue that currently has no government scoring mechanism and could benefit from LITISM. AEgis had already made contact with the JIAMDO Black Dart lead (Lt Col Frederick). Future testing opportunities include Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) Extended User Evaluation testing with the 46th Test Wing at Eglin (the sponsors of an AEgis SBIR on DE instrumentation) and the Maritime Laser Demonstration (a Navy effort to put lasers on a ship in the next 18 months and demonstrate their effectiveness) – AEgis has made contacts with both of these organizations. During the transition phase, we will coordinate with the AFRL customer on further development of the HEL sensor mesh, including development of variants to meet specific needs for individual laser systems (if it proves necessary to develop a highly tuned sensor that is sensitive to a specific wavelength). AEgis will provide technical assistance to the AFRL customer, conducting market research as required to highlight technology transfer opportunities for commercial use of HEL sensors. For example, we have discussed using TISM-type irradiance sensors to aid in aligning solar collectors to capture maximum sunlight intensity.