Laser Systems For Use With Airborne Platforms

Joseph Jepsky

doi:10.1117/12.943848

23 October 1984 Laser Systems For Use With Airborne Platforms

Joseph Jepsky

Proceedings Volume 0493, Optical Platforms; (1984) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.943848
Event: The National Symposium and Workshop on Optical Platforms, 1984, Huntsville, United States

Abstract

This paper describes a family of airborne laser systems in use for terrain profiling, surveying, mapping, altimetry, collision avoidance and shipboard landing systems using fixed and rotary wing aircraft as the platforms. The laser altimeter has also been used in systems compatible with the Army T-16 and. T-22 carrier missiles (platform). Both pulsed gallium arsenide and Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped, yttrium-aluminum-garnet) laser rangefinders have been used for these applications. All of these systems use ACCI's advanced measurement techniques that permit range accuracies of 8 cm, single shot, 1 cm averaged, to be achieved. Pulse rates up to 4 Khz are employed for airborne profiling. This high data density rate provides 1 data point every 2" along the aircraft flight line at aircraft speed of 500 knots. Scanning modes for some applications are employed. Systems have been integrated with all current inertial navigation systems (Litton, Ferranti and Honeywell), as well as a number of microwave positioning systems. Removal of aircraft motion from the laser range measurements by use of an accelerometer is described. Flight data from a number of program performed by U.S. and Canadian Federal Agencies, in addition to those of commercial surveying and mapping companies are described.

Citation Download Citation

Joseph Jepsky "Laser Systems For Use With Airborne Platforms", Proc. SPIE 0493, Optical Platforms, (23 October 1984); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.943848

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