We propose to build a prototype laser navigation aid for aircraft acquiring unimproved airstrips. Our system consists of collapsible fabric retroreflectors runway markers that are illuminated from the approaching aircraft by a pulsed, 903 nm eyesafe laser diode. Laser echoes from the reflectors are measured spatially by a filtered CMOS image sensor and temporally by a PIN photodiode. Digital Signal Processing is used to separate noise echoes from the reflector echoes and to overlay a video image from a low light or thermal image sensor with retroreflector range and position information. The composite video is then displayed to the aircraft pilots as required. The device is built of COTS parts integrated for this specific application - no specific, unique hardware is required.
