Multiple Target Laser Designator

Physical Optics Corporation (POC) demonstrated a new Multiple Target Laser Designator (MTLD) concept that will enable U.S. Navy to accurately and simultaneously designate and track multiple threats in sea environments. MTLD is a novel laser designator that integrates a uniquely designed multifunctional holographic antenna that generates and collects multiple beams (> 5) of single or multiple wavelengths in the near-infrared band, and a liquid crystal scanner element (LCSE) that individually steers each of the generated beams, with a unique low-cost, nonimaging target-tracking subsystem based on holographic Bragg detuning. MTLD offers unique advantages over conventional designators including precise multiple target designation, provision for ship-motion and environmental effects, low-cost, lightweight, modular multibeam, design for simultaneous designation of multiple targets, high-performance holographic optics as a high-gain antenna as well as a filter for background noise mitigation. In Phase I, POC designed, analyzed, and fabricated a proof-of-concept system and demonstrated that MTLD has strong potential to meet U.S. Navy needs and to support many commercial applications. Phase II will further optimize the architecture and system components of the MTLD, resulting in a practical field-deployable, multiple target (more than five dynamic surface craft), coded laser designation system.