Distributed System for Field Detection of Stray Energy from Laser Weapons

A number of high-energy laser weapons currently under development by and for the U.S. military will provide our armed forces with capabilities that are unmatched by conventional armaments. Laser weapons allow targets to be destroyed from remote locations without the delays associated with the transit of typical missiles and artillery shells. However, during engagement the laser radiation reflected from the target must be controlled to prevent damage to unintended targets. Here we propose the development of a distributed sensor system for monitoring reflected laser radiation in a large-area open-air test range. The system is composed of a network of smart, hemispherical-imaging, laser-scattering detectors that are distributed throughout the test range. Each scattering detector utilizes a hemispherical optic, an array detector, and an image processing computer to locally detect stray laser energy. A central control computer utilizes processed image data from the network of detectors to reconstruct stray radiation patterns throughout the test range. The prototype system, to be delivered to the Air Force after Phase II, will provide knowledge that will enable the Air Force to increase the effectiveness and safety of high-energy laser weapons.