SBIR-STTR Award

Ultra-Broadband and High Average Power Directional IR Countermeasures
Award last edited on: 8/23/2024

Sponsored Program
STTR
Awarding Agency
DOD : Army
Total Award Amount
$1,320,983
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
A21C-T018
Principal Investigator
Stephen McCahon

Company Information

Applied Energetics Inc (AKA: Ionatron Inc)

9070 S Rita Road Suite 1500
Tucson, AZ 85747
   (520) 628-7415
   N/A
   www.appliedenergetics.com

Research Institution

University of Arizona

Phase I

Contract Number: W56KGU-22-C-0043
Start Date: 5/19/2022    Completed: 11/19/2022
Phase I year
2022
Phase I Amount
$172,174
High intensity light sources can be effectively used for Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM) against Electrooptic (EO) based systems. The operational requirements for an IRCM optical source depend upon the desired effects along with engagement parameters such as range, atmospheric conditions, engagement geometry, target characteristics, and IRCM platform constraints. Of interest, are systems that can "dazzle” or damage EO sensors with ultrashort laser pulses with spectral content that spans the mid-infrared (MWIR) or long-wave infrared (LWIR) spectral regions, because it is difficult to protect sensors from this type of counter measure with passive filters or active optical limiters. The objectives of the proposed Phase I effort is to use numerical simulations and IRCM-system considerations to model several new approaches for delivery of ultra-broadband IR laser pulses to EO sensors, select an approach, define top-level system requirements, and produce a preliminary design for an optical source for prototyping in a Phase II program.

Phase II

Contract Number: W56KGU-23-C-0008
Start Date: 5/15/2023    Completed: 5/14/2025
Phase II year
2023
Phase II Amount
$1,148,809
High intensity light sources can be effectively used for Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM) against Electrooptic (EO) based systems. The operational requirements for an IRCM optical source depend upon the desired effects along with engagement parameters such as range, atmospheric conditions, engagement geometry, target characteristics, and IRCM platform constraints. Of interest, are systems that can "dazzle” or damage EO sensors with ultrashort laser pulses with spectral content that spans the mid-infrared (MWIR) or long-wave infrared (LWIR) spectral regions, because it is difficult to protect sensors from this type of countermeasures with passive filters or active optical limiters. The objectives of the proposed Phase II effort is to use results of the Phase I numerical simulations and IRCM-system considerations to build a prototype laser to deliver ultra-broadband IR laser pulses to EO sensors and prepare for Phase III activities.