Beaconless Tactical Turbulence Lidar

To address the Army’s need for a beaconless tactical turbulence sensor capable of measuring range-resolved Cn2 over path lengths of 0.5 to 10 km with 10 m range resolution, Intellisense Systems, Inc. proposes to develop a new Beaconless Tactical Turbulence Lidar (BEATTL) based on backscattering amplification phenomena in the turbulent atmosphere that is directly related to the magnitude of the refractive index structure parameter. The compact, rugged BEATTL will be capable of operating 24/7 in the field environment, providing the range-resolved values of the refractive index structure parameter along its line of sight with a data update rate of a few seconds. The innovative sensor schematic will enable a compact sensor design, fast data collection, and long- range operation, thus making it suitable for use on weapon platforms. In Phase I, Intellisense will perform a trade study and through simulations prepare the final design of a new beaconless turbulence sensor capable of meeting measurement requirements. In Phase II, Intellisense plans to use Phase I designs for the fabrication, testing, and evaluation of a sensor prototype. The design will then be modified as necessary to produce a final prototype that will demonstrate the effectiveness of measurements.