Multi-Function EO Sensor Suite for Small UAVs

The Air Force is currently developing many airborne sensors for a variety of airborne platforms, but the increased use of smaller uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs) requires significant reductions in sensor size, weight, and power consumption. Many systems that were originally designed for larger platforms may not be easily scaled down to meet these tighter requirements and still provide high-quality sensor data. Coherent Technologies, Inc. (CTI) proposes to develop a compact, multi-function EO sensor for small UAVs. The sensor requirements are derived from Air Force requirements, and CTI's state-of-the-art laser radar modeling and simulation code. The transceiver design implements CTI's innovative solid-state laser technology and laser radar systems expertise. The sensor will perform 2D passive imaging, 3D active imaging, and multispectral and polarization discrimination of partially obscured hard targets. The system will be optimized for use on small UAV platforms such as Hunter, Pioneer, or Shadow. The Phase I effort will consist of system modeling and a preliminary sensor design. On Phase II we will demonstrate sensor performance and deliver an engineered breadboard prototype.