Pulsed Laser Lethality Effects for Missile Defense

The Government is interested in diagnostic equipment that can measure material properties such as temperature gradients, rates of ablation, vibration, plasma properties (e.g. reflectivity of plasma and material from a laser pulse) and atmospheric vapor composition during material interaction testing with pulsed high energy laser (pHEL) systems with pulse widths ranging from hundreds of pico to micro-seconds. Bodkin Design & Engineering (BDE) is proposing to build on earlier work with ultraviolet/visible (UV/vis) and mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) spectral imaging to deliver a multimodal sensor system to capture the spectral signature of the vaporized materials and plasmas and to measure target surface temperature and temperature gradients as well as reflectivity. Additionally, we will include a demonstrated structured light imager to measure target material erosion (surface ablation).This approach incorporates multiple sensors previously demonstrated by BDE. For this project, BDE will use the Multiband Spatial Heterodyne Spectrometer (MSHS) to capture the spectral signature of vaporized materials and plasmas from HEL pulses. BDE will use an MWIR snapshot hyperspectral imager to measure the surface temperature, temperature gradients and reflectivity of the test article. Additionally, a structured light imaging system will measure the changes in target surface profile as material is ablated and a plasma plume reflectance sensor incorporating a probe beam from a super luminescent diode. Approved for Public Release | 25-MDA-12052 (27 Mar 25)