Local Wind Measuring Device

A ballistic firing solution must take into account variability of the wind. Ongoing anemometer development efforts have thus far provided solutions that are expensive, large, heavy, and consume too much power for small arms applications. IDI proposes to develop a Lidar-on-a Chip based crosswind sensor for incorporation into shoulder fired weapon systems. Such an optical sensor has an advantage over conventional anemometers of being able to detect crosswinds along the flight trajectory - even when behind cover or in defilade, and at very low cost using all semiconductor integrated VLSI technology. Lidar wind averaging from the shooter to target will provide a very accurate wind speed with a 1 second integration time. Phase I will produce a lightweight Lidar based crosswind measuring prototype to measure speeds up to 30 MPH with a sampling range out to a few hundred meters, where max range will only be limited by optics acquisition cost. System performance will be determined through simulation and modeling with regards to its ability to accurately measure local wind direction and magnitude. The proposed concept will develop the system directly into a typical Riflescope design. PhaseII will deliver TRL-6 Lidar prototype units with a LRIP BOM for under $150.