Eye-safe LADAR Laser Transmitter

Detailed knowledge of the operational environment can be exploited to improve the capabilities of active sonar detection and classification systems. The deployment geometry, transmit bandwidth and averaging time can all be set to optimize detectionperformance given the detection system has a detailed knowledge of the operational environment. In addition, more detailed knowledge may also provide target classification clues derived from the received echo shape. The environmental data gathered onstation could be integrated into a tactical decision aid (TDA) that is run prior to the start of the Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) search phase of the mission.One of the more difficult parameters to measure in-situ is the bottom scattering strength vs. grazing angle. Knowledge of the bottom scattering strength is critical in shallow water operation where the bottom reverberation is the dominant source ofinterference. This is especially true in downward refracting environments. The bottom scattering strength is difficult to measure because bottom reverberation is a function of a number of complex parameters such as the transmission loss to the bottom andthe bottom loss verses grazing angle curve.This SBIR solicitation (N01-017) proposes the development of a new sensor capable of making a bottom loss measurement. To keep development and production costs manageable, this new sensor will leverage heavily on existing air deployed sonobuoy technology.The proposed sensor would be used in conjunction with existing sonobuoys already in the Navy's inventory. In this SBIR solicitation we shall address the methodology and feasibility of such a technique.The product of this SBIR will have a direct impact onexisting and proposed air deployed ASW search systems. The proposed system could be used either prior to the deployment of or in conjunction with existing or planned ASW search sensors. The benefit to the fleet will be an increased awareness of theoperational environment leading to more effective mission planning and execution.The proposed sensor could potentially be marketable to non-military government agencies for the purpose of harbor monitoring and surveillance. More specifically, we see a potential market to drug interdiction agencies needing to detect and classify smallvessels that may escape detection by radar systems yet have strong acoustic signatures.