LADAR

LADAR (LAser Detection And Ranging) systems use light to determine the distance to an object. Since the speed of light is well known, LADAR can use a short pulsed laser to illuminate a target and then time how long it takes the light to return. The advantage of LADAR over RADAR (Radio Detection And Ranging) is that LADAR can also image the target at the same time as determine the distance. This allows a 3D view of the object in question. This provides long range reconnaissance with greater fidelity and thus greater recognition range than other technologies. Newer LADAR systems, with InGaAs detectors on board, can use eye-safe lasers (traditionally 1.55 or 1.57 microns) to minimize the users' eye damage, as well as eye damage to other combatants and non-combatants on the battlefield. In addition to eye safety concerns, these lasers are also covert to night vision goggles and older night vision technologies, allowing for the location of the detected object and the laser to be kept secret.

In the image above, on the left is a LADAR image from the front of a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk in Santa Barbara, CA.  On the right is the same LADAR data "viewed" from an overhead location highlights the 3-D nature of the data collected.

Here is video footage from the front of a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk in Santa Barbara, CA.

This video shows the same LADAR data "viewed" from an overhead location highlights the 3-D nature of the data collected.

Images courtesy of Advanced Scientific Concepts of Santa Barbara, CA  http://www.advancedscientificconcepts.com/

Many SWIR camera capabilities are considered sensitive. If you would like to learn more about SWIR capabilities for the military, you can register at a special web site, www.swirconops.com. You must be a US Government employee or a USG contractor and be a US Citizen to access this site.