Overview of the ABL firepond active-tracking and compensation facility

Charles Higgs

doi:10.1117/12.323941

8 September 1998 Overview of the ABL firepond active-tracking and compensation facility

Charles Higgs

Proceedings Volume 3381, Airborne Laser Advanced Technology; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.323941
Event: Aerospace/Defense Sensing and Controls, 1998, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

To support the Air Force's Airborne Laser (ABL) program, we have configured an adaptive-optics and tracking facility at Lincoln Laboratory's Firepond site. By using a 5.4-km horizontal propagation range and properly selecting the beam diameter and wavelength we are able to replicate important aspects of ABL propagation scenarios expected at high altitude. The experimental system was configured to conduct experiments with a point-source beacon, or using active illumination for both adaptive optics and tracking. In this paper we provide an overview of the Firepond facility and include details on the parameter scaling and experimental conditions required to replicate ABL conditions. We discuss optical configurations for various experiments and provide details of the adaptive-optics, tracking, and active illumination systems.

Citation Download Citation

Charles Higgs "Overview of the ABL firepond active-tracking and compensation facility", Proc. SPIE 3381, Airborne Laser Advanced Technology, (8 September 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.323941

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