Quantifying HEL Weapon System Performance through a Layer of Fog or Low Level Clouds

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Authors
Wang, Qing
Yamaguchi, Ryan
Daniel, Zachary
Wauer, Benjamin
Subjects
fog
high energy laser (HEL) weapons
atmospheric effects
boundary layer turbulence
Advisors
Date of Issue
2018-04
Date
Presented April 10-12, 2018
Period of Performance: 01/02/2018-12/31/2018
Publisher
Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
Project Summary: This project addresses critical issues regarding the effects of low-level cloud/fog on the operational performance of high energy laser (HEL) weapons. This topic represents a large knowledge gap in operating the HEL weapons that inevitably goes through the atmosphere that is often filled with water hygrometers. This research included three parts: instrument development, field measurements, and data analyses. A fog microphysics sensor was modified to fit the application of measuring from a stationary platform and was integrated into a trailer-based laboratory for aerosol and fog sampling. For data collection, we made continuous measurements in two locations in the Monterey Bay area, one at a farm field at the coastline and one further inland over mostly concrete surface. These measurements include both meteorological data as well as propagation data. Data analyses focused on the observed scintillation and attenuation. The amount of optical energy attenuation through the fog layer and the role of scintillation in foggy conditions are being analyzed as part of the thesis work of Captain Zachary Daniels who will graduate in March 2019.
Type
Report
Description
NPS NRP Executive Summary
Department
Meteorology
Organization
Naval Research Program
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
NPS-18-N343-A
Sponsors
ASN RDA
Office of Naval Research (ONR)
Funder
NPS-18-N343-A
Format
4 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.
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