3.7.1 Warfighter Needs
Detection, precision location and tracking; specific identification; and accurate battle damage assessment are key to the Joint Warfighting S&T areas or dominant battlespace knowledge, precision force, combat identification, joint theater missile defense, military operations in urban terrain, electronic warfare and counter proliferation. Electro-optics provides better target resolution than radar and, due to its narrow beam, provides better target location. Both are key issues for the aforementioned JW S&T program areas. In addition, the increased EO/IR threat requires active EO/IR systems for target EO/IR countermeasures. In short, advances in electro-optical (EO) device technology are required in photonics, displays, lasers and focal plane arrays (FPAs). The continued development of high performance human-in-the-loop and autonomous systems will significantly advance global surveillance and communications capabilities; all-weather, day-and-night, camouflage-resistant precision strike missions against fixed and mobile targets; more effective electro-optic countermeasures; advanced antisubmarine warfare capability; and increasingly potent space laser radar and sea control systems.
3.7.2 Electro-Optics Overview
3.7.2.1 Goals and Timeframes. In order to meet future Warfighter goals, improved sensors and sensor data processing will be needed. This will require investment in enhanced processing and manufacturing technologies that will result in better and more affordable EO devices. For example, work will continue on advancing OMCVD (Organo-Metallic Chemical Vapor Deposition) processing techniques, which have already yielded 3x-5x improvements in laser diode efficiency as well as a 100x reduction in the cost/watt of such diodes. Similar cost reductions have been achieved for FPAs (relative to early prototypes) coupled with more than an order of magnitude improvement in performance compared to that of scanned linear IR detector arrays, the presently deployed technology. The results of this subarea enable many of the goals in the Electro-Optic Sensors (3.2), ATR (3.3) and Communications/Data Links.
Specific goals include:
| FY96 | Demonstration of 16 element fiber optic feed for 10 GHz phased array. |
| FY97 | Spectrally discriminating MWIR FPA. Flexible manufacturing of HgCdTe FPAs in burst mode. Demonstration of wavelength division multiplexed system with capacity >100 GB/s. |
| FY98 | Smart IRFPA with biologically inspired processing on chip. |
| FY99 | 94 GHz analog links with less than 50 dB loss over kilometers
of fiber. Total optical control of phased array radar using fiber optics. Ultraviolet imaging array. |
| FY00 | Multicolor IRFPA with on chip processing.
Full color 2000x2000 element helmet mounted displays. |
Long-term (2001-2005) goals include: integration of IRFPA and ATR functions in a 1-inch cube (to enable true fire-and-forget autonomously targeted missiles and bombs) and 3-D stereoscopic displays and parallax-free heads-up displays.
3.7.2.2 Major Technical Challenges. Key technical challenges in the laser and IRFPA areas include increased diode laser array wavelength availability in the MWIR and LWIR bands; reduced size, weight and power consumption of laser systems; and reduced cost of laser diode arrays to $1 per peak watt. Another challenge is producing multi-spectral FPAs, in the long term, for detecting dim and camouflaged targets, particularly in background clutter. Effort will be focused on dual-band IRFPAs (MWIR and LWIR, as well as different parts of a single band). In the near term, smart FPAs with on-chip electronics, improved signal and image processing, automated targeting functions and reduced acquisition timelines can be developed. If cost effective, stereoscopic/3-D displays can be developed, they would enable new capabilities in command and control and in situation awareness.
3.7.2.3 Related Federal and Private Sector Efforts. There are significant efforts in industry in flat panel displays, fiber optic cables and optical components. For example, Bell Laboratories is a major player in photonics and fiber optics. These efforts must be leveraged with DoD funding advancing those areas where industry products will not meet DoD requirements or not meet them in the required timeframe.
3.7.3 S&T Investment Strategy
3.7.3.1 Technology Demonstrations. Some core demonstrations include IRFPA flexible manufacturing program to enable the manufacture of multiple application-specific IRFPAs at low cost even for low volume, fast-turnaround requirements and the ARPA BIT program which is developing key enabling technologies for terabit optical fiber networks with global reach.
3.7.3.2.1 Advanced Infrared Focal Plane Arrays. This program is (DTO SE.22.01.ANFE) developing FPAs with selectable/simultaneous spectral regions to increase reliable detection ranges and decrease false alarm rates. Manufacturing technology for ensuring low cost and ultimate performance flexibility in responsivity, waveband selection and automated functions will be emphasized. Detection of objects in space requires arrays optimized for longer wavelengths (12-30 mm) which may operate at lower temperatures.
3.7.3.2.2 Militarized Flat Panel Displays Technology. This technology development addresses DTO SE.23.01.E and will develop miniature high resolution (up to 2K by 2K pixels) display subsystems to provide head mounted displays for use with ground or air mobility sensors, rotary and fixed wing applications, and complex system displays used for future maintenance manuals and for UAV sensors. It will leverage the ARPA miniature flat panel effort and consist of advanced, lightweight optics capable of providing up to a 60o field of view at high resolution and with low power analog-driven stereoscopic displays.
3.7.3.2.3 Optical Control of Radar, Communication, and Electronic Warfare Systems. This technology development addresses DTO SE.24.01.NF and also several DTOs and Weapons (Electronic Warfare) DTAPs. The major capabilities and deliverables are optical control of phased array antennas and optical beamforming networks; components for 100 Gbit/s wavelength division multiplexed all-optical networks; guided-wave, high-speed (>40 GHz) electro-optic modulators; multi-element, true-time-delay optical beamformers.
3.7.2.4 Advanced Optics and Display Applications. This program (DTO SE.31.01.A) is identifying and, where, necessary, developing sensors and display technologies which can be integrated into high performance, light-weight, head-mounted vision systems. Such a capability will provide the soldier with a significantly improved battlefield awareness. Future opportunities include cross platform application of this same technology to armor and aviation.
3.7.3.3 Basic Research. Key basic research areas that
can enable electro-optics technology include optical materials
growth; new concepts for efficient, wavelength flexible, solid
state lasers; and detectors.