UAV Infrared Search and Track (IRST)/Eyesafe Laser Range Finder (ELR) System

Based on the lessons learned from 911, the Naval Anti-Terrorism Force Protection ATFP program is now considering an airborne IRST as part of a family of sensors, which can be used to monitor air traffic in the vicinity of Naval facilities around the world. This IRST is intended to augment current capabilities by providing a method of detecting and tracking even low flying small aircraft using terrain features or urban canyons to mask their approach. This paper describes an Infrared Search and Track IRST system integrated with an eyesafe laser rangefinder ELRF and intended for operation from an unmanned air vehicle UAV with automated targeting and fire control functionality. The IRST sensor was developed under a jointly funded MDAONR contract with Raytheon, but the completion of the eyesafe laser rangefinder and its integration and demonstration was only accomplished recently under NAVAIR internal funding. In addition to low flying aircraft this IRST sensor must also be able to detect and track missiles launched from shipboard platforms readily found around the world, so the capability must be there to operate against a wide range of targets with large variations in their signatures. This sensor possesses the desired dynamic range for all of these applications and the passive IRST sensor participated recently in data collections for Blue Velvet 1 2 missions. Infrared imagery and pointing data was collected during the two events. Although the Blue Velvet BV target SCUD is the oldest and most widely deployed theater ballistic missile in the world its emissions and reflections had never been measured during its boost phase.