A review of the Nd:YAG laser rangefinder/designator is presented. General operation of the laser rangefinder and its use by the military are discussed. Comparisons between conventional laser designs and ruggedized stable configurations show the folded crossed porro resonator is a successful approach. Designing a laser rangefinder in a small package that will meet performance specifications in a military environment requires many unique features. Size, weight, and volume reductions in military laser rangefinders have progressed over the last ten years. Comparable airborne systems have been reduced from 50 lbs. to less than 7 lbs. Handheld rangefinders are available in packages slightly greater than 1 lb. Future trends for the Nd:YAG laser rangefinder are referred to in closing.

Date Published: 16 July 1986
PDF: 4 pages
Proc. SPIE 0610, Scientific and Engineering Applications of Commercial Laser Devices, (16 July 1986); doi: 10.1117/12.956386

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 0610:
Scientific and Engineering Applications of Commercial Laser Devices
Rick Feinberg; Lewis Holmes; Morris Levitt, Editor(s)