A Stereoscopic Laser-Scanner for Measuring Velocity, Pitch, and Yaw of Hypervelocity Projectiles

We propose to develop a Stereoscopic Laser Scanner for measuring the pitch, yaw, position, and velocity of projectiles in aeroballistic test ranges. The scanner uses a digital streak camera to track an object moving through a pair of laser sheets projected by two continuous wave lasers. The scanner is modular with compact components for easy mounting at multiple locations along the test range. It features digital imaging and automated data reduction software that calculates desired parameters immediately after the test. The scanner can be configured in either direct light or shadowgraph mode. The scanning method is similar to synchroballistic streak photography, and utilizes newly developed digital streak cameras and rugged diode-pumped solid-state lasers. The projectile tracking software that we will deliver has successfully been deployed at other test ranges. In Phase I, we demonstrated the feasibility of the scanning concept by building a breadboard scanner and simulating projectile movement, and identified the components needed for a high-speed system. In Phase II, we will build a prototype system capable of tracking a hypervelocity projectile, and install it in the AEDC Range G.