Passive Single-Aperture Rifle Scope for 3D Rangefinding

To address the U.S. Marine Corps need for a single-aperture passive rangefinder, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Passive Single-Aperture Rifle Scope for 3D Rangefinding (Pass-Range), a rifle scope rangefinder based on a high light gathering power scope with a variable Fresnel zone plate (VFZP) mounted in the aperture stop. This innovation will give the Pass-Range without any moving parts, completely passive rangefinding capability in a single aperture device with a range resolution that is better than 1% that is achievable by active rangefinders. It will be compatible with current electro-optical imaging sensors, weigh less than a pound and be smaller than current U.S. military night vision scopes. It performs rangefinding with distance scan by changing VFZP arrangement and detecting objects twinkle. In Phase I POC will analyze the device design for its rangefinding accuracy as a function of target distance and geometry and assemble and test a proof-of-concept prototype to demonstrate feasibility. In Phase II a full scale Pass-Range engineering prototype, including a redesigned scope, custom electronics and software, and operator interface, will be developed and tested to show how the approach meets the need of the U.S. Marines.