SBIR-STTR Award

Test and evaluation of directed energy weapons requires upper air data to accurately characterize environmental conditions within the test range. We describe an expendable lightweight “Optisonde” sensor package that measures in-situ pressure, temperature, humidity, winds and optical turbulence. We leverage proven sensors from our commercial dropsonde/radiosondes and propose two new sensors to measure high resolution temperature (via a ultra fast responding fine wire thermometer) and optical scintillation (via a LED source/detector array). Particular emphasis will be placed on robust design, ensuring survivability in difficult icing conditions. For measurements at altitudes well into the stratosphere Optisonde will be compact enough to be lofted via helium balloon, released by Yankee’s Automated Radiosonde Launcher. For those applications where measurements below 65,000’ are acceptable, it will be compatible with Yankee’s Automated Dropsonde Dispenser mounted on Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles. These dual up/down modes provide flexible ‘on demand’ deployment over ocean test ranges, where logistics become complex. Phase I will focus on the prototype sensor design and analysis, and Phase II will involve prototype field-testing and integration with numerical weather prediction and refraction/propagation models. The proposed technology will provide the test community with a reliable measurement system to support ongoing research and test programs.

Keywords:
Scintillation, Upper Air, Optical Turbulence, Wind, Humidity, Air Temperature, Stratosphere, Sounding