Laser DEW Threat Detection System for UAV Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Topic No.: N101-087 Topic Title: Laser DEW Threat Detection System for UAV Proposal No.: N101-087-2150 Firm: Nanohmics, Inc 6201 East Oltorf St. Suite 400 Austin, Texas 78741-7511 Contact: Byron Zollars Phone: (512) 389-9990 Web Site: www.nanohmics.com Abstract: With improved performance in directed energy weapons (DEW), the susceptibility of modern weapon, reconnaissance, and surveillance systems - in particular those with optical sensors - is acute. Recent interest in protection of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and their sensor suites has become extremely important as the use of UAV's on the modern battlefield increases. There is currently no means of rapidly detecting the direct or scattered radiation from laser-based DEW, determining the precise location of the source, and directing countermeasures to the potentially hazardous energy. The ability to rapidly scan a full hemisphere for potential threats would allow the UAV system to quickly take evasive action or engage optical sensor protection systems. Nanohmics proposes to build and flight test a novel, low-cost optical system for integration on existing UAV platforms that has a spherical field of regard. The optical system has no moving parts, has a very small depth along the optical axes, and can be constructed from light and extremely low-cost glass or injection-molded polymers. Based on a wide-angle laser threat detector system, the innovative Argus laser threat assessment system combines non-imaging optics with integrated reflective surfaces to achieve a wide optical field without sacrificing angular accuracy, sensitivity, or collection aperture. Benefits: Within the DoD, applications of the technology developed in this SBIR include laser threat discrimination and detection for aircraft, vehicles, and even individual soldiers because of the small size and low power requirements. Other commercial outlets for the technology are in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) community, where it could be used for LASINT or MASINT applications. Aspects of the technology can be employed in military laser threat alert and characterization; laser tracking and recording; territory surveillance; directional platforms for automated landing and remote vehicle guidance; obstacle avoidance; and wide-area search and rescue. Additional military applications include satellite self-situational awareness and laser threat characterization providing Nanohmics and its customers the ability to collect laser threat data without needing a priori knowledge of threat location or characteristics. Nanohmics' initial commercialization strategy is to license the technology developed in the program to leading defense contractors or companies that supply tactical hardware or electronics systems to the government. Return