The U.S. Army Chemical Research, Development and Engineering Center (CRDEC) is currently engaged in an extensive multi-year exploratory development program to exploit laser radar for Chemical/Biological (CB) Stand-Off Detection. At present, the only near term capability for the detection of chemical agents at a distance is the use of passive infrared sensors. These sensors can detect only chemical vapors. Active (laser) infrared (IR) systems employing Differential Scattering and Absorption Lidar (DISC/DIAL) are being developed for the detection of chemical agents in all physical forms: vapor, aerosols, and rains, as well as liquid surface contamination. In addition, an ultraviolet (UV) system employing laser induced fluorescence is being developed for the detection of biological agent clouds consisting of pathogens and toxins. The principles of operation of these systems and the history of their development will be briefly discussed. The IR and UV breadboard systems have recently participated in an extensive field test employing battlefield concentration of simulants and interferents with excellent results. These data will be discussed along with the necessary development efforts required to adapt the DISC/DIAL technology to Army and other service needs.

Date Published: 12 April 1988
PDF: 5 pages
Proc. SPIE 0889, Airborne and Spaceborne Lasers for Terrestrial Geophysical Sensing, (12 April 1988); doi: 10.1117/12.944247

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 0889:
Airborne and Spaceborne Lasers for Terrestrial Geophysical Sensing
Frank Allario, Editor(s)