Eye Safe - Laser Seeker and Designator (ES-LSD)

This Phase I proposal provides an innovative concept for an Eye Safe-Laser Seeker and Designator (ES-LSD) suitable for implementation to a high G launched projectile. The concept proposed operates equally for spinning or non-spinning projectiles. The uniqueness of this concept is vested to the type of detector mechanism selected, and specifically the mounting technique and the geometry of the detector proper. No moving parts are envisioned for the detector mechanisms; thus, the concept is valuable in regard to the required large acceleration effected to the projectile at the time of launch. The receiver/seeker/detector mechanism will be optimized to operate with an Erbium laser transmitter, in order that the system qualifies as "eye-safe." The work described in this proposal will utilize the advantages of the simplicity of Er:Glass and mitigate the disadvantages with innovative technologies. The innovative technologies developed under this effort will include the optimization of pumping technology, of Q-switch technology, of Er:Glass dopant concentration, and the design of a ruggedized laser transmitter for ranging a designation. Schwartz Electro-Optics, Inc. (SEO) will develop the seeker for the ES-LSD, while Kiger, Inc. will develop the eye-safe laser using Er:Glass material. The SEO and Kiger team will also work on testing the ES-LSD system.