Optical heterodyne radar (ladar) for precision missile tracking and guidance

This paper presents the analysis and preliminary configurations of a 10.6-μm ladar using heterodyne detection. Low altitude supersonic antiship missiles pose a serious threat to U.S. Naval forces. Radars cannot accurately track them at short ranges due to multiple reflections from the ocean surface. Passive ir sensors exhibit contrast washout under certain conditions at low elevation angles. The ladar sensor provides a means of tracking ASMs at short ranges for precision fire control and for air-to-air missile guidance for head-on aircraft attack.