Active Target Tracking through Deep Atmospheric Turbulence

"Conventional tracking schemes have reached their performance limit for systems such as the Airborne Laser operating in deep turbulence environments. The next generation of high precision tracking systems must exploit all information available to producethe desired track correction. A study of tracking from an integrated sensor perspective is proposed. This will include, but not be limited to, the use of wavefront sensor measurements to enhance the track estimate. A methodology will be developed whichwill lead to the assessment of tracking performance limits as a function of system parameters such as the Rytov number. Tracking concepts developed in this effort will be evaluated in detail with wave-optics simulations. A successful completion of thisstudy of active tracking in deep turbulence will advance the state of beam control technology for systems experiencing tracking degradation due to high scintillation. This means extending the effective range of operation for weapons systems such as theAirborne Laser system. The concepts developed here will also have application to ground based laser systems and long range laser communication systems"