Ladar Polarized Signature Technique (LAPSIT) for Plume Environments

Coherent Technologies Inc. (CTI), proposes to develop a novel technique for modeling coherent ladar signatures of objects (e.g., post-boost vehicles, re-entry vehicles, and debris) through missile effluent plumes and debris. Polarized object hardbody signatures from CTI's ladar signature tools will be integrated with polarized plume signatures from modified standard plume and scattering codes. Existing plume models, like CHAMP/CHARM, will be used for initial time-dependent mass density distributions, driven by their SPF flow-field model. In Phase 1, CHAMP model output will be modified to account for non-spherical particle shapes. Given this, polarized returns from unresolved hardbodies embedded within the plume will be synthesized which will enable the magnitude of the shape-driven errors to be estimated. In addition, range-resolved Doppler analyses of the plume and target will be made to assess target discrimination capability. Conceptual design of a physics-based, composite scattering and flow-field-driven model will be delivered. Test scenarios will include transient-event signatures and debris. For Phase II, a detailed design and prototype physics-based model will be delivered that interfaces with customized plume and hardbody signature models that account for the plume flow-field, asymmetrical particle shape and size distribution and polarization. Output from these models will be validated and tested against real-world data.