Innovative Solutions for Laser Weapon Components, Devices, and Subsystems

TECH FOCUS AREAS: Directed Energy TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform OBJECTIVE: The objective of this topic is to advance the state-of-the-art in beam quality control in high energy lasers for directed energy applications through the development of a functional intra- or extra-cavity hardware/software implementation which would ultimately result in an innovative, robust, and scalable solution to actively monitor and control optical beam quality at multiple tens of kilowatts-optical continuous wave and multiple kilowatts-optical pulsed. DESCRIPTION: The Air Force has identified High Energy Lasers as potential modern weapons as they offer the advantages of speed-of-light-delivery, multiple target engagements with rapid retargeting, deep magazines, low incremental cost per shot, exceptional accuracy and low logistical support requirements. As High Energy Lasers increase in power, their intra-cavity recirculating optical energy also increases, resulting in thermal loading in the laser cavity and, subsequently, optical path differences which negatively affect laser beam quality and effective range. In the effort to optimize power on target at range and prevent laser optics damage, there is much interest in pursuing innovative, robust, and scalable solutions to actively monitor and control optical beam quality at multiple tens of kilowatts-optical continuous wave and multiple kilowatts-optical pulsed with a wavelength of around 1 .m. Typical beam quality control solutions in open literature include wavefront sensors and deformable mirrors; therefore, a solution for High Energy Lasers may require advancement of the associated system components. Current areas of interest include but are not limited to the following: 1) innovative techniques to assess the health and status of High Energy Laser optics in-situ in near real-time, 2) innovative high-speed wavefront. PHASE I: Establish feasibility of the proposed solution. Perform sufficient modeling and/or experimentation to determine high-risk components are attainable. Perform tradeoffs to establish a preliminary design leading for Phase II. Define a Phase II program plan. Identify and document endorsement from potential transition partners. Provide a thorough understanding of the solution to government in time to make a Phase II decision. PHASE II: Finalize design of a demonstration prototype. Procure, develop, and integrate the solution prototype. Plan and coordinate one or more demonstrations to provide proof of concept determination. Perform experiments and analyze results to establish the adequacy of the solution approach and minimize transition risk. Contact potential customers and establish a transition plan with partners supporting Phase III activities. Provide regular communication to the government sponsor to ensure understanding and risk mitigation. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Integrate with prospective follow-on transition partners. The contractor will transition the solution to provide improved operational capability to a broad range of potential Government and civilian users and alternate mission applications. NOTES: The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the proposed tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the Announcement and within the AF Component-specific instructions. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. Please direct questions to the Air Force SBIR/STTR Help Desk: usaf.team@afsbirsttr.us REFERENCES: K. N. LaFortune, R. L. Hurd, S. N. Fochs, M. D. Rotter, P. H. Pax, R. L. Combs, S. S. Olivier, J. M. Brase, R. M. Yamamoto, "Technical challenges for the future of high energy lasers" Proc. SPIE, vol. 6454, 2007. KEYWORDS: high energy/power laser; in-situ; real-time; beam quality (BQ); wavefront sensor (WFS); adaptive optics (AO); deformable mirror (DM)