Optical Proximity Sensor

"Although there are currently no range-variable kinetic-energy non-lethal munitions for personal weapons in development, any future model will require a proximity sensor to activate a mechanism that controls the kinetic energy of the projectile. This sensorshould be inexpensive, reliable, lightweight, efficient, and easily assembled with any future non-lethal projectile. To meet these Navy requirements, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to design, develop and test an Optical Proximity Sensor (OPS)for variable-range kinetic energy non-lethal munitions. The OPS matches all these requirements and also has advantages over radio and acoustic sensors. The OPS is based on the principle that optical triangulation sensors will react quickly and preciselyto any target that appears at a preprogrammed distance. The OPS will be built from commercially available, off-the-shelf, low-cost components. The prototype OPS will be fabricated and tested in Phase I, then fully developed and adapted to a prospectivemodel of a non-lethal projectile in Phase II. The proposed Optical Proximity Sensor will precisely meet the requirements of the Joint Non-Lethal Weapon Directorate (JNLWD) for developing the means of incapaciting enemy personnel. Any future variable rangekinetic energy projectile will require a proximity fuse or sensor. Because of its market-attractive performance parameters, POC's OPS will have diverse civil applications such as vehicl