Conformable, Disposable, Y2O3 Bead Array for HEL Measurement

SARA’s Conformable, Disposable, Yttrium-Oxide Bead Array fills a key test and evaluation need in the directed energy community by facilitating local imaging of a high-energy-laser incident on a payload such that neither airflow dynamics nor power incident on the payload are unduly compromised. The camera-based imaging system is lightweight, easy to deploy, conformable to the chosen payload, is adaptable to a number of configurations including stationary target boards, towed bodies, missiles and mortar shells, and uses a minimum of complicated parts. Perhaps most important, the system has a unit-replacement material and fabrication cost as little as $10K, the expense of which, in relation to an expensive test day, is insignificant. SARA looks forward to working with the Air Force on this important HEL-diagnostic mission. BENEFIT: The development of a low cost, portable and disposable target board capable of measuring the irradiance profile of a High Energy Laser in proximity to the target is of paramount importance in diagnosing the laser target interaction. In order to assist the ABL lethality program in determining the vulnerability of boosting missile and optimizing the kill probability of a laser weapons system, the incident laser beam profile on target must be known with a high degree of accuracy. The proposed solution has the unique capability of monitoring the incident beam irradiation profile during live fire engagements without interfering with the lethality function of the laser weapon.