Ladar Algorithm for Lethal Objects (LALO)

Advanced interceptor seekers with active ladar systems offer enhanced capabilities for target acquisition, discrimination, tracking, and targeting of a lethal object within a ballistic missile threat train including off-nominal threats and countermeasures. Full exploitation of these capabilities requires robust ladar algorithms to enhance seeker decision functions that include far-range ladar cuing, target acquisition/tracking, optimum handover, enhanced discrimination, aimpoint selection, and end game countermeasure mitigation. Algorithms are required to support laser augmentation of multiband passive sensors including non-coherent/coherent systems and active/passive fusion for improved seeker performance including mitigation of diffuse-scattering and laser-speckle effects. The proposed investigation will evaluate competing seeker/algorithm concepts through end-to-end dynamic simulation of a ballistic missile threat train as perceived over time by the interceptor seeker. The simulation will include the position/orientation dynamics and passive/active signatures of lethal/non-lethal objects and the associated seeker/algorithm response for acquisition, discrimination, tracking, and targeting of the lethal object. The investigation will consider realistic threat ensembles, deployment sequences, and background conditions to ensure algorithm robustness.