SBIR-STTR Award

Cross wind is the largest component in the error budget for sniper weapons used to engage targets at long range. Current technologies to estimate cross wind rely on visual cues or on a point measurement of the wind at the shooter's position. The cross wind is also assumed to be constant between the shooter and the target. These estimates for cross wind deflection are often inadequate for ballistic wind corrections. To overcome this deficiency, Scientific Technology, Inc. proposes an innovative laser system that can measure real time cross wind between a distant target and the shooter. The system will meet laser eye safe standards. The sensor will also be able to integrate with the range detection to the target. Atmospheric turbulence-induced optical scintillations have long been a problem to astronomical observations. However, it has also been realized that observations of the twinkling of stars and the motion of scintillation patterns yield information about the turbulence and the wind speed in the upper atmosphere. This proposal addresses a technique which takes advantage of the atmospheric turbulence-induced optical scintillation as a means to measure cross wind along a line-of-sight path. Potential commercial applications abound for open path optical scintillation technology. In addition to military and law enforcement applications, general areas where this technology will have a major impact include the environment, aviation safety, meteorology, and recreation industry.

Keywords:
crosswind aviation scintillation environment atmosphere meteorology

Feasibility studies in Phase I indicate that a sensor using the turbulence-induced optical scintillation signal from an illuminated target can provide measurement of path-averaged crosswind speed between the shooter and the target. In Phase I, we have performed theoretical analysis, numerical calculation, engineering design, and experiment to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed optical crosswind sensor. A shooter desires a cross wind sensor to predict bullet deflection at the target so a ballistic correction can be made prior to the shot. In Phase II, Scientific Technology, Inc. proposes to design, fabricate and test a prototype system of an optical crosswind sensor. The goal is to demonstrate its ability to meet performance, size, weight, and packaging requirements for sniper operations. Following the interim efforts that perform preliminary laboratory and field tests for verifying and modifying design parameters, the Phase II efforts continue on implementing a prototype system, emphasizing on further performance improvement, field testing, and packaging. Potential commercial applications abound for open path optical scintillation technology. In addition to military and law enforcement applications, general areas where this technology will have a major impact include the environment, aviation safety, meteorology, and recreation industry.