Lockheed Martin Corporation

Don A Larson

Bruno J Evans

Lionel D Liebman

Clara Rivero Baleine

Robert Joseph McCarty, Jr

Edward Max Flowers

Stuart W Flockencier

Gary Paul Perryman

Thomas Hiromoto

Johann M Veras

Erwan A P Baleine

Patricia Skelley Sharek

William Dale Cotten

Robert J McCarty

The embodiments relate to systems and methods for wavefront error (WFE) correction of a conformal optical component using a planar lens. The embodiments include a conformal optical component transmissive to electromagnetic radiation (EMR), which is propagated through the conformal optical component along a path axis. The conformal optical component is rotationally asymmetric about the path axis. A planar corrector lens is configured to correct a WFE of the conformal optical component. The planar corrector lens defines a lens axis. Accordingly, use of a single planar corrector lens for WFE correction of a conformal optical component reduces bulk and manufacturing complexity.

Wavefront error correction of a conformal optical component using a planar lens

The embodiments relate to a conformal, sometimes referred to as aerodynamic, nose cone, and in particular to a hollow conformal nose cone that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined wavelength, or wavelengths, and that comprises a variable thickness such that the electromagnetic radiation received on an outer surface of the nose cone forms a predetermined beam pattern within the nose cone. Also disclosed are mechanisms for generating such hollow conformal nose cones.

Variable thickness hollow conformal nose cone

An aerodynamic conformal nose cone and scanning mechanism is disclosed. Laser energy, from within a body of a missile, is directed through a solid, optically transparent nose cone. A detector in the body detects reflected laser energy that passes through the solid, optically transparent nose cone.

Aerodynamic conformal nose cone and scanning mechanism

An imaging system includes: a transmit side that generates a plurality of switched beam laser signals and scans each of the switched beam laser signals into a respective field of view by two polygon facets simultaneously of a polygonal mirror, the respective fields of view overlapping in at least a portion thereof; and a receive side that receives a plurality of reflections of the laser signals, detects them, and captures them as three-dimensional imagery data. A method includes: generating a plurality of switched beam laser signals from a single laser signal; scanning each of the switched beam laser signals in seriatim into a respective field of view by each of two polygonal facets of a polygonal mirror, the respective fields of view overlapping in at least a portion thereof; receiving reflections of the switched beam laser signals; and generating a set of three-dimensional imagery from the received reflections.

Multi-resolution, wide field-of-view, unmanned ground vehicle navigation sensor

A multi-beam LADAR apparatus and a method for use in a multi-beam LADAR system are disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of mission specific optics; a gimbal in which the mission specific optics are mounted; an off-gimbal laser; and a multi-fiber relay optically linking the laser output to the mission specific optics. The method includes gimbaling a plurality of mission specific optics; generating a laser signal off the gimbal; and optically relaying the laser signal to the mission specific optics through a plurality of discreet channels.

Multi-channel fiber relays for high energy laser delivery to multi-beam optical sensors

A LADAR apparatus and a method for use in receiving a LADAR signal are disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical pickup capable of picking up a plurality of optical signals; a timing synchronization reference; a time domain multiplexer capable of multiplexing the optical signals into a multiplexed optical signal relative to the timing synchronization reference; and an optical detector capable of detecting the multiplexed optical signal. The method include time domain multiplexing a plurality of LADAR signals into multiplexed LADAR signal; detecting the multiplexed LADAR signal; and demultiplexing the detected LADAR signal.

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Kennedale, TX, United States of America

Don A Larson