Laser Rangefinding Techniques for Helicopter Fire Control Applications. Phase I. Hardmounted Laser Concept.

Abstract

The concept of hardmounting a laser rangefinder to a helicopter airframe and having the pilot obtain the range to target by pointing the aircraft, was evaluated. The overall results indicate that this technique produced range errors of approximately 10% over all altitudes (300 ft. to 2500 ft.). The evaluation showed the range error to increase significantly as operational altitude decreased. This was due to small angular pointing errors translating into large horizontal miss distances when small grazing angles are incurred. Range errors of 20-25% were projected at 50-100 ft. altitudes. It was also determined that last pulse return logic produced smaller range errors than first pulse return logic.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA016165

Entities

People

  • Albert C. Cappiella

Organizations

  • Frankford Arsenal

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Altitude
  • Amplifiers
  • Grazing
  • Grazing Angles
  • Helicopters
  • Laser Rangefinding
  • Lasers
  • Light Amplifiers
  • Light Sources
  • Low Angles
  • Miss Distance
  • Optical Equipment
  • Range Finders

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Marksmanship and Weaponry.
  • Mathematics or Statistics

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy