High Resolution Laser Warning Device with Directional Determination Capability

With the rapid development of laser weapons that are fast, accurate, and with high energy, many laser weapons have been incorporated in various military platforms. As a consequence, the safety concern of military personnel including aircrew demands foradvanced laser warning devices that can help provide earlier warning and also provide detail enemy laser parameters for protection arrangement. Existing laser warning devices are not capable of providing all required laser parameters in a single devicepackage. New Span Opto-Technology Inc. proposes a new laser warning device based on intelligent use of a high Finesse Fabry-Perot etalon. The new device with minimal device components can be rugged and compact packaged to satisfy military environmentalspecifications. It offers the capability of simultaneous coherence discrimination laser warning, laser wavelength determination, laser beam direction determination, and laser status (CW or pulsed) classification. Large field of view (over 90¿X solid angle)and fast response are other important features. Phase I research has demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed laser warning concept. Phase II development will focus on device optimization and achieving fast response. A compact rugged laser warningdevice prototype will be constructed to satisfy all application requirements and demonstrate its functionality through field testing.