Slant Path Optical Turbulence and Atmospheric Characterization

There are a number of programs in development within the DOD that require the ability to test and characterize atmospheric turbulence and atmospheric transmission properties along an integrated slant path as turbulence has a major impact on the performance of advanced laser systems and aircraft imaging systems. Current solutions have been limited to large ground or tower-based scintillation and transmission measurement systems, or horizontal paths as in while balloon born thermosondes, they are not suitable or cost effective for continuous measurements at a desired altitude along a slant path. Alphacore will design optical and radiometric atmospheric characterization instruments, such as a scintillometer, for use in making optical atmospheric turbulence and transmission measurements along an integrated slant path. The proposed solution will incorporate multiple calibrated optical sources with a wide field of view for the collection of optical transmission data. The solution will also have the capability to act as a platform to collect slant path crosswinds and radiometric measurements in Longwave Infra-Red (LWIR). Turbulence and characterization data collection system can be used in the testing and evaluation of both laser and infrared sensor systems used on both ground and air platforms.