Distributed System for Field Detection of Stray Energy from Laser Weapons

The Air Force is in need of a system to measure stray laser energy during the open-air test-range firing of high-energy laser weapons such as the Airborne Laser. In Phase I, a laboratory-scale system composed of four hemispherical-imaging laser-scattering detectors was constructed to monitor light scattered from stray laser energy during simulated laser weapon engagements. It was demonstrated that this system could monitor the laser energy distribution in a test area by imaging the light scattered by atmospheric aerosols. Also, a trial Phase II design, suitable for monitoring the near-infrared lasers used in the Airborne Laser, was examined. It was determined that the trial design would be capable of detecting stray laser radiation at the threshold of eye safety. In Phase II, a three-sensor-station system composed of smart hemispherical-imaging laser-scattering detectors is proposed based on this trial design. The deliverable system will be suitable for installation at an open-air laser test range and will provide the Air Force with data on stray energy patterns during high-energy laser testing.