COHERENT Technologies has ground-tested an experimental three-dimensional (3-D) laser radar developed under contract to the US Air Force.
The device could be used for targeting in close air-combat, for missile terminal-guidance, or in a point-defence weapon system, the USAF believes.
The Boulder, Colorado-based company has been working with the USAF's Wright Laboratory in Ohio on Coherent, solid-state, laser radars since 1987. The goal is to produce a 3-D colour laser-imager with a range of 20-50km (11-27nm), a range resolution of less than 0.3m and a velocity resolution below 0.3kt (0.6km/h).
Source: Flight International