Compact 3-D Intercept LADAR

Visidyne proposes to demonstrate that through an innovative mix of electro-optical and photonic technologies, an imaging, scannerless LADAR (or 3-D imager) can be designed and built that is a viable sensor for the terminal phase of guided kinetic energyweapons. Key elements in the mix are; a small, high power laser source, time coded for range, a unique focal plane array (FPA) that decodes the laser returns and fast pixel rate signal processing to recover simultaneous range and intensity images. This combination promises to provide a cost-effective imaging LADAR sensor that can detect passive targets at relatively long range and over a wide field-of-regard. Bearing and range to the target as well as target aspect relative to the interceptor will be calculated. The proposed LADAR would satisfy the needs of BMDO for an advanced terminal phase kinetic-energy interceptor targeting-sensor. Other DoD/NASA/DARPA applications are automated rendezvous and docking of satellites and inspection of orbiting vehicles.Commercial industrial applications include high frame rate 3-D imagery for the purpose of inspection, for example, establishing pose of an object during machining or assembly processes.