LONG WAVE LENGTH LASER DETECTION SYSTEM

1The objective of this innovative research and development effort is to produce a preliminary design in the development of a low cost Long Wavelength Laser Detection System (LWLDS). This LWLDS is intended to provide a laser intelligence capability to Navy airborne platforms. The proposed concept, using uncooled state-of-the-art detectors for the mid- and far-infrared, will have a sensitivity of better than .01 W/cm2. It will be able to resolve laser wavelengths to within 0.5 micrometers; the proposed concept provides a choice between a 20x20 degrees field of view (FOV) or a 5x5 degrees POV witha higher sensitivity. The receiver concept will be designed to reside within the infrared imaging system turret and its associated gimbal units. The LWLDS is intended to be lightweight so the laser receiver front end will be designed without the use of cryogenic coolers.