Laser Analysis—Part 2

Abstract. This paper is the second in a series of three on laser technology. The focus of this paper is primarily the Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) scenario but the contents are applicable to other ground, air and maritime environments. The purpose of the series is to investigate a viable technique, which may be used for the identification of GBAD targets. Part 1 introduced and described areas of laser technology, which are commonplace on the modern battlefield. This second part discusses laser safety, factors affecting laser performance and Ladar. The calculations shown demonstrate Ladar's potential as a long range (>10 km), 24-hour all-weather imaging capability, if it is accurately cued. Part 3 will examine Burst Illumination Laser (BIL), which is the chosen technique for the GBAD target identification problem. A method of calculating BIL performance will be shown and the results from the authors' calculation tool will be presented.