Award Data

Fastening and joining technology has lagged behind the progress that has been made in other areas of composites for advanced air vehicles. Aerotech proposes the development of reversible polymeric adhesive bonding of composites using variable frequency microwave energy. With this method, composites are bonded using Poly Ether Ether Ketone (a high temperature thermoplastic) which is cured using v ...

We propose to develop automated video indexing and retrieval mechanisms based on comprehensive representations of video data, and efficient processing for automated in-dexing. Content-based video data retrieval has enormous potential in defense, industry and the government. However, a number of stubborn problems have impeded progress in developing fully automated video database systems. These p ...

We propose to develop a high frame-rate, large-area, amplitude-only SLM for use in atmospheric correction. The Phase I will demonstrate the concept through the fabrication/evaluation of amplitude-only modulators, as well as an addressing structure that is economical for large-areas. Phase II will scale the addressing structure to 128X128 or higher density, for fabrication of large area amplitude ...

A forward and lateral looking scanning Doppler lidar is proposed for use onboard aircraft to sense and display windshear in the vicinity of the planned flight path, particularly windshear due to the vortex wakes of preceding large aircraft. The goal is to provide the pilot with an assessment, visual display, and warning of the windshear in the vicinity of the projected flight path, with ...

A novel, adaptive waveform coherent LADAR concept is proposed to provide a robust sensor capability to meet Air Force objectives. The LADAR operates at an eyesafe solid-state wavelength in order to achieve a compact, rugged design capable of stand-off ranges of 20 km or more. Simultaneous precision range, Doppler and micro-Doppler target signatures are extracted with an extremely efficient proc ...

Nonlinear optical frequency converters for lasers are impacting a variety of systems including weapons fire control, active beacon adaptive optics, target designation, range finding, and active multispectral imaging ladar. Most next-generation systems require frequency agile transmitters with improved power scaling. For example, there are currently few high average power (1 to 20 kW) frequency c ...

An emerging, powerful trend in electro-optics systems development is the "multifunction sensor. It addresses the need to reduce the volume, prime power requirements, and cost of sensor suites. Further functionality and cost reduction are achieved by distributing the multifunction sensor signals over an optical bus to spatially-separated optical apertures and time multiplexing a centrally located ...

Coherent Technologies Inc. (CTI) proposes to design a 0.5J, 20Hz, single frequency Q-switched two micron laser, with high wall plug efficiency. With passive cooling, the unit will operate with a wall-plug power efficiency of 5-6%, meeting the performance requirements for practical deployment of a Doppler lidar on a free-flying satellite for space-based remote sensing. When used in a coherent las ...

Distributed aperture ladar systems with centralized transmitters and receivers promise increased functionality with reduced cost, weight and volume. Such multiaperture architectures are anticipated to provide 4(pi) steradian coverage with unprecedented capabilities on airborne platforms. However, two primary technical hurdles prevent realization of a first-generation system. One is finding an a ...

A missing key component in current laser systems for target tracking/identification and optical remote sensors is a compact, high repetition rate, moderate average power (10W) laser operating at eyesafe wavelengths. To meet this need, a diode-pumped solid state laser is proposed which utilizes an exceptionally small and robust package scheme for high efficiency systems. The design capitalizes on ...