A long-range synthetic vision system combining a pyrotechnic-pumped laser and range-gated camera

Abstract

Natural phenomena, such as clouds and man-made obscuration such as smoke, compromise the ability of satellites and high-flying aircraft to provide high-resolution imagery, Operations conducted at night also tend to yield reduced-resolution of images. The Northrop Grumman Corporation has recently begun a major sensor-development program of a pyrotechnic-pumped laser (PPL) illuminator and a range-gated camera. The near-term goal is a system that would deliver a penetration of 30,000 feet of atmospheric/obscuration. The PPLs under test have single-pulse power values that are orders-of-magnitude more powerful than conventional laser-pumping methodologies. The cost of these PPL's places them in the category of single use/disposable. This concept can likely be put in use for long-range operations in the mid-term (perhaps the year 2005). The system could provide all-weather, day and night earth imaging at very high resolutions. Since this long-range system would be required to image through approximately 30,000 feet of obscurant to be effective, PPL power levels and camera sensitivity is being scaled accordingly. This paper explores the concept, reports on progress to date (PPL and camera), and illustrates the proposed high altitude application.