Beam Train Flexible Structure Control for Airborne/Space-Based Systems

"Brashear LP proposes to characterize the problem and possible solutions for acousticinduced disturbances. This problem will likely drive the LOS jitter stability of ABLand similar airborne pointing applications. The research will characterize theacoustic disturbance on ABL hardware then use this detailed description to employmore sophisticated methodsof jitter control. Such methods include mechanical based solutions (bothactive and passive) and electronic motion control solutions. Theapproaches will be quantitatively compared and assessed for practicalimplementation. The proposed improvements in jitter control would have immediate impact on the ABLprogram. These benefits would include increased operating range to target, reduceddwell time on target or the possibility of designing and incorporating lightweight,flexible structures to reduce system weight. In addition to ABL any directed energysystem on an airborne platform, such as ATL, would also benefit. Other directedenergy systems such as M-THEL and SBL could also benefit from the improved jitterperformance. Finally, any optical system subject to harsh vibration environments orhigh acoustic loads (such as those caused by high wind loads) could benefit from theproposed improvements in jitter control.ATL is similar application to ABL that is likely to see a higher acoustic disturbanceenvironment from essentially the same sources as ABL. The goal of ATL is microradianpointing stabi