Steering mirrors - Higher bandwidth

As the Airborne Laser (ABL) comes closer to putting a high energy laser (HEL) on a boosting missile target, it has become obvious that a high bandwidth fast steering mirror (FSM) needs to be developed. This FSM must be capable of controlling large, 12-inch mirrors while handling the HEL power levels. Applied Technology Associates (ATA) proposes to develop for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) revolutionary actuator and sensor concepts for high bandwidth (2 kHz) fast steering mirrors. These revolutionary concepts are an outgrowth of our preliminary work on a 1 kHz, 12-inch fast steering mirror sponsored by the HEL Joint Technology Office (JTO). Using this approach, ATA proposes developing a new FSM-specific actuator that provides greater efficiency, higher bandwidth, and lower mass (for the same force) than has ever been previously achieved. It will be combined with a two-degree-of-freedom (2DOF), high-accuracy, relative position sensors (HARPS) that will provide high bandwidth, low noise, high accuracy relative position sensing-overcoming previous relative position sensor shortcomings.