(U) Remote Optical

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U)  Build and demonstrate airborne and space-based light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems for chemical detection and 
identification.  The following specific system requirements have been identified by the users (DIA and CINCS):
 -- Counterproliferation/nonproliferation
 -- Detection and warning of battlefield WMD use
 -- Detection and identification of production, storage, or testing of WMD
 -- Detection and tracking of critical mobile targets (e.g., scuds)
 -- Counterdrug
 -- Battle damage assessment
 -- Intelligence preparation of the battlefield

Description: (U)
(U)  The program demonstrated lidar detection to ranges of 21.3km from 10,000 ft altitude from atop Mt Haleakala.  The next step is to use an existing lidar system to detect WMD at 20km from an airborne platform(ARGUS C-135), then demonstrate an improvement in range with a more powerful lidar.  As lidar technology and pointing and tracking progress we will package the system for UAV and satellite missions.  

(U)  The low-power N-ABLE airborne lidar system is complete.  Airborne field tests started in October 1996.  The moderate power 
LARS system is nearing completion, with airborne field tests schedule to start in January 1997.

(U)  Performance Improvement:  Currently no capability to do long range detection of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), IFF, 
counterproliferation, or finding scuds.

User Impact: (U)
(U)  None.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Concept/Technology.
	(U) IOC: 02/1996 (2QFY1996).

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) None.

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Imaging Technology

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) TECHNOLOGY- RDT&E.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
21 November 1997

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)