Miniature Eye-Safe Laser Designator and Receiver

The proliferation of laser applications in both the military and civilian sector is generating requirements for eye-safe laser systems. These requirements are becoming a major factor in operational decision making processes and are providing an impetus for researchers to find new ways to migrate existing laser instrumentation towards eye-safe wavelengths. Small, inexpensive and easy to use semiconductor diode lasers are commercially available that operate at eye-safe wavelengths. Unfortunately, these lasers cannot sustain the high continuous or peak power levels necessary for eye-safe laser designations and other military applications. Systems & Processes Engineering Corporation, in conjunction with Tracor Aerospace, Inc. and Taboada Research Instruments, proposes to design and demonstrate a miniature laser designator and receiver that operate at ethe eye-safe wavelength of 1.5 microns. The designator will be designed to mount on an unmanned air vehicle. The receiver will use Tracor's proven fiber optic laser detection system with integral guidance and be designed to fit within a standard 5" projectile.