Eyesafe Laser Designator and Seeker System for Naval Combat Systems

There is a great need for the development of an eyesafe laser designator and seeker system for shipboard use. Current designators typically operate at non-eyesafe wavelengths, and therefore expose personnel to radiation that can potentially cause permanenteye damage or blindness. Luna Innovations proposes to address this need by developing a solid-state laser designator and seeker that operate in the eyesafe wavelength region above 1.4mm. This research will begin with a systems level analysis thatdetermines the most suitable wavelength of operation and appropriate design specifications, balancing atmospheric propagation factors against available laser and detector materials. Development will proceed as Luna Innovations works together with itspartners to produce a detailed design of both laser and seeker subsystems, along with preliminary bench-level hardware testing.