Compact 3-D Intercept LADAR

Visidyne has demonstrated during Phase I, through modeling and analyses, that an imaging, scannerless LADAR (or 3-D imager) can be designed and built that is a viable sensor for the terminal phase guidance of kinetic energy weapons. The technique combinesan innovative mix of electro-optical and photonic technologies: a small, efficient high-power laser source, time coded for range, a unique focal plane array (FPA) that decodes the laser returns and fast pixel rate signal processing to recover simultaneousrange and intensity images. All component technologies were investigated and found to be sufficiently developed that construction of a prototype sensor is practical at this time. The proposed 3-D LADAR promises to provide a cost-effective imaging sensorthat can detect passive targets at relatively long range and over a wide field-of-regard. Bearing and range to the target as well as target aspect relative to the interceptor may be calculated from the 3-D image and the intensity image could possiblyobviate the need for a separate 2-D imaging sensor.