Optical Microwave Based Technology for IFF of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

The program objective is to developand demonstrate a low cost, low probability of intercept (LPI) sensor technology for IFF of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). Conventional approach using active microwave radars suffer from low angular resolution, high clutter, problem of electronic jamming and emitter observability which can be used by the enemy for homing or identification purpose. A laser radar (Ladar) approach is described. The technology needed for implementing the proposed ladar IFF system include fast beam steering device, widefield narrowband filter and coherent detection techniques. New concepts of optical preprocessing devices are proposed that will significantly enhance the performance of the IFF ladar system.