Characterizing Cirrus Clouds for Their Impact on Airborne Defensive Laser Systems
Abstract
This study describes the collection of field measurements of cirrus clouds during an eleven-month period over Hanscom AFB, MA, and how those measurements were used to estimate laser transmittance through the cirrus. Using ground-based radar and lidar measurements as a reference, it is shown that radiosonde observations can better detect the presence and geometric attributes of cirrus layers than can geostationary satellites. In comparing satellite retrievals of ice particle size and ice water content with radar/lidar retrievals, the satellite-retrieved effective particle size and ice water content were less than the radar/lidar retrievals. The radar/lidar geometric thickness retrieval of the cirrus is less due to the vertical extent being limited to the higher base and lower top detected by the radar-lidar tandem. Cirrus properties from the case with the smallest optical depth were used in three laser extinction models. Results from all three indicated that a significant power loss occurs as the laser beam propagates through the cloud layer. It seems that knowing cirrus location is more important than knowing the optical properties in laser operations support.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 29, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA507225
Entities
People
- Donald C. Norquist
- John R. Roadcap
- Patrick J. Mcnicholl
- Paul R. Desrochers
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory