High Energy Laser Beam Control – Aero-Optics and Opto-Mechanics at its Best

To negate targets with directed energy, generating a multi-kilowatt high energy laser beam is only the first half of the story. To efficiently engage targets, a system needs a robust mechanism for projecting the laser beam from an aircraft and compensating for deleterious effects caused by the surrounding atmosphere. The need for this compensation generates several unique challenges that span multiple physics and engineering disciplines, which include optics, fluid dynamics, mechanical engineering, and both open- and closed-loop controls. Some of the most interesting problems happen at the intersections of these fields, where an understanding of cross-discipline interactions is needed to ensure a successful solution. Research into laser beam control is enabling construction of systems that address environmental conditions such as high vibration, constrained volumes, high-speed dynamic aero-optical distortions, and deep turbulence. During this talk I will discuss research and identify challenges surrounding the mitigation of aero-optical/aero-mechanical effects for lasers systems used in airborne application.