Airborne Instruments to Quantify Optical Turbulence, Aerosol, and Surface Wave Impact on Optical Propagation in the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layers
Abstract
We propose to acquire three major instruments and the support network data storage systemto enhance the sampling capability of a frequently used research aircraft, the CIRPAS Twin Otter, in supporting future research on air-sea interaction and electromagnetic and electro-optical (EM/EO) propagation through the atmosphere. The instruments include a scanning surface wave Lidar that can be integrated into one of the Twin Otter certified wing pods, an MWIR camera for tracking the aircraft on a gimbal-stabilized positioner, and a small droplet-size spectrometer that can be integrated into the Twin Otter s Controlled Towed Vehicle (CTV) to make aerosol measurements down to 10-m above the surface. The objective of this proposed instrument purchase is to enhance our measurement capability to sample the atmosphere and quantify its impacts on Electromagnetic wave (EM) and electro-optical (EO) propagation through the atmosphere and to tie the EM/EO propagation to more environmental factors such as wave/swelland marine and anthropogenetic aerosols. The addition of the MWIR camera offers a much longer range of tracking to allow dynamic link measurements between the aircraft and a surface station (ground or ship) for both EM and EO research. The atmospheric effect on EM/EO propagation is one of the thrust areas following the US Navy s strategy on Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare (EMW). To this end, effective sampling to include important atmospheric/ocean properties such as surface waves/swell and aerosol concentration in the marine atmospheric boundary layers are crucial first steps to quantify the atmospheric refractive environment. The proposing PI is actively involved in research activities in a collaborative team from Moss Landing Marine Labs (MLML) and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) involving students and faculty members from both institutes. The proposed instruments/equipment complement the existing measurement capability of the team to fully quantify the atmospheric propagation and its environmental conditions. They will initially be used to support the ONR-sponsored Departmental Research Initiative titled Moisture and Aerosol Gradients/Physics of Inversion Evolution (MAGPIE) in conjunction with the SPEIR/HELIOS Improvements Merging Environmental Response (SHIMMER) project. They can be usedto support other projects utilizing the Twin Otter research aircraft.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 11, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312844
Entities
People
- Qing Wang
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- San José State University
- United States Navy