Measurement of atmospheric tilt in a high-altitude horizontal path

Paul H. Merritt; Kurt W. Koenig

doi:10.1117/12.281027

6 August 1997 Measurement of atmospheric tilt in a high-altitude horizontal path

Paul H. Merritt, Kurt W. Koenig

Proceedings Volume 3065, Laser Radar Technology and Applications II; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.281027
Event: AeroSense '97, 1997, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The problem of tracking of a ballistic missile during the boost phase is very challenging and is of high interest to the Airborne Laser Program (ABL). One of the components of accomplishing missile tracking is the ability to compensate for the tilt induced by the atmosphere. The ABL technology program's airborne laser extended atmospheric characterization experiment project included the task of measuring the atmospheric tilt. This effort was accomplished by propagating an optical beacon from one aircraft and receiving it at a second aircraft using a quad cell detector. This paper will describe how the Air Force obtained the atmospheric tilt calculations from quad cell data that was corrupted with noise. A comparison to ray optics tilt simulations was sued throughout to understand the data and evaluate the noise sources. The result is a comparison of simulated data and measured data with explanations of observed differences.

Citation Download Citation

Paul H. Merritt and Kurt W. Koenig "Measurement of atmospheric tilt in a high-altitude horizontal path", Proc. SPIE 3065, Laser Radar Technology and Applications II, (6 August 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.281027

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