Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A14-008

Description

To address the Armys need for a biologically inspired, wide field-of-view, primary optic for semi-active laser (SAL) missile seekers, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a novel Multi-aperture Optical Seeker Compound Array (MOSCA) for SAL spot tracking. This proposed module is based on a novel, insect-inspired non-imaging compound optical array that is low size-weight-and-power (SWaP) using POC-developed mature design and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The innovation in wide field of view (array) configuration, angular resolution enhancement, high bandwidth, and custom embedded processing will enable the module to rapidly locate, track, and guide missile platforms via SAL designators without gimbals. As a result, this module offers wide-angle tracking, and head-on solar rejection in a strap-down configuration at reduced cost, which directly address the Army Program Executive Office (PEO) Missiles and Space Acquisition Program requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of MOSCA through performance estimates, analysis and simulations of resolution, optical throughput, and solar rejection measures in the near-infrared and angles of interest. Additionally, POC will build a proof-of-concept prototype. In Phase II, POC plans to build an improved prototype system to be tested in a laboratory, simulating the SAL tracking concept-of-operations (CONOPS) environment.