GRA Proposal AF222-0004 Next Generation Focal Plane Array Semi-Active Laser Seeker Algorithms

The report presented here details a proposal by Gleason Research Associates, Inc. (GRA) for consideration in the matter of the AF222-0004 SBIR topic.  To elicit consideration for selection GRA includes in the presentation the key personnel, detailed company experience, proposed program benefits, hardware partner selection, Intellectual Property (IP) ownership division, expected deliverables, a schedule, and a technical roadmap for accomplishing defined milestones. For many years the armed services have identified the advantage of multi-mode seeker capabilities.  For well over 40 years multi-mode seekers have been pursued through combinations of SAL, SWIR, IR, IIR, RF, GPS, MMW, etc.  Technology has been a major limiter in the field of combined SAL and SWIR imaging.  These technology loci have the advantage of being usable in a single sensor in a manner that is non-interference to the other portions of the sensor.  As with any imaging technology, the limitation of Read-out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) speed has made pulse detection at the speed of SAL difficult if not impossible until recent history.  The availability of newly minted ROIC technology has created a new opportunity for FPA (focal plane array) SAL detectors and difficulty in the form of updating algorithms to manage large pixel counts at high refresh rates in a real-time fashion. GRA’s proposed approach in this Phase I and subsequent Phase II is to harness the full capabilities of these new hybrid sensors by developing the next generation of software algorithms that will take advantage of the new dimensions of data provided by these sensors.  It is the goal of GRA to work closely with an industry partner in the development of a sensor package that will contain the needed hardware, software, and firmware to push new weapons into the modern era of man-in-the-loop systems with autonomous end-game guidance and control, as well as the potential for automatic target recognition and end-game target selection based on available targets in the field of view near the designated point.