Limiting airborne target designating laser canopy returns

Abstract

A laser energy window arrangement especially usable in a tactical aircraft having night vision equipment-aided cockpit visual information input requirements. The laser energy window arrangement enables use of laser apparatus directed external to the aircraft for target designation or other purposes while minimizing the amount of energy from such laser returning spuriously inside the cockpit where it inherently acts a noise signal for night vision equipment. The laser energy window limits the portion of the aircraft windshield or canopy exposed to laser radiation and its effects to a relatively small area, an obscurable area generating significantly reduced amounts of spurious return energy in comparison with use of the laser directly through an unlimited windshield, canopy, or other type of transparency. Transmission of spurious return energy from the laser energy window to remaining portions of the windshield or canopy is precluded by interruption of transmission paths within the windshield or canopy material and transducing the interrupted path energy into heat dissipated within or outside of the aircraft and not affecting the remainder of the canopy. Potentially increased aircraft to target standoff range, reduce need for aircrew use of laser eye protection gear, reduced laser induced windshield or canopy degradation and other benefits are identified for aircraft uses of the invention. Use of the window invention in other non aircraft and non military aircraft settings is also contemplated.