Missile Plume Transmittance Measurement System

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to design, fabricate, test and deliver a TRL=6 system meeting specified environmental and key performance parameter (KPP) requirements that is capable of measuring the spatially and spectrally resolved infrared transmittance of missile plumes along two lines of sight with respect to the plume centerline. The system pairs two multi-path, broadband infrared (IR) light sources with a two hyperspectral infrared imagers. A breadboard prototype of the missile plume transmittance (MPT) measurement system will be developed during Year 1 of the program. During Year 2, the components of the MPT system including brassboard prototypes of the IR light source, the hyperspectral imaging receiver, the associated control system and infrastructure will be integrated into a field enclosure serving as both the means to store/transport the system to a test site and as a system control center during testing. The integrated system will undergo extensive test and validation against the KPPs at PSI’s outdoor test facilities culminating in delivery and testing on the Towed Airborne Plume Simulator (TAPS) test stand at AEDC. PSI will provide training and software/hardware manuals for the MPT measurement system at the conclusion of the validation testing effort.