Compound eye laser missile seeker (CELMS)

To address the Army need for a novel primary optic for semi-active laser sensors, Luminit, LLC proposes to develop an innovative wide field-of-view (FOV) compound eye laser missile seeker (CELMS) for use in the near-infrared spectrum to track a target without the need for a gimbaled sensor. This proposed device is based on a multiaperture compound receiver optics that emulates a biologically-inspired eye with a wide FOV of up to 50 degrees, and a substrate-guided wave hologram filter that provides effective rejection of solar interference by offering 1 degree angle selectivity and 2 nm spectral selectivity simultaneously at the designation laser wavelength. In Phase I, Luminit will develop a low-cost CELMS design and demonstrate the feasibility of required wide FOV without a gimbal and effective rejection of solar interference throughout the entire field of regard of the seeker. We will define the CELMS capabilities in terms of cost to performance benefits for implementation on missile platforms from 2.75 to 7 inches in diameter, which will reduce the risk for the development of a full-functional Phase II prototype CELMS system. We plan to achieve TRL 3 and TRL 6 by the end of Phase I and Phase II, respectively.