Fine Tracking and Aimpoint Maintenance for Phased Array High Energy Lasers

High Energy Laser (HEL) systems provide many benefits on the battlefield, such as speed of light engagement, precision engagement with limited collateral damage, graduated response (lethal and non-lethal effects), and low cost per shot. Recent developments in phased array HEL technology is enabling the integration of HEL systems on small ground-based platforms. To support these HEL systems, a high-resolution, image-based tracking and aimpoint maintenance systems compatible with phased arrays are needed. In the proposed program, Guidestar Optical Systems (Guidestar) will develop a high resolution distributed aperture imaging system concept that is compatible with phased array HEL systems and provides the tracking and aimpoint maintenance accuracy needed for these precision engagement HEL systems. Guidestar will conduct wave optics simulations to demonstrate the performance of our image-based tracking system concepts. In the Phase I option program, Guidestar will develop a hardware-based concept design for the image-based tracking system that is compatible with phased array HEL systems and provides the desired performance.