Recent advances in high powered laser diodes and fiber optic coupling a low efficient integration of laser systems into existing gimbal systems. A high power, divergent beam can be used to illuminate a scene providing enhanced performance in poor weather, the recording of registry and augmentation to existing night vision devices. This paper describes the enabling technologies, applications and performance or recording alphanumeric.
The battlefield optical surveillance system (BOSS) was developed for DARPA by the U.S. Air Force's Phillips Laboratory. BOSS is a HMMWV mounted laser surveillance and deterrence system. It is intended to be used to detect and to deter potentially hostile individuals, snipers and groups of agitators. The BOSS integrates the following: (1) a thermal camera (8-12 micrometer FLIR), that detects and cues to possible targets, (2) a 45 watt, 808 nm (near IR), air- cooled laser which provides covert illumination and designation for a day/night camera to acquire said target and attain a high-resolution image using night vision equipment, and (3) a 1 watt, 532 nm (green) laser that overtly illuminates and designates the target. It also has significant deterring effects both physiological and psychological on individuals and crowds. BOSS offers the potential capability to detect snipers before the first shot is fired. Detection of optical augmentations and the thermal characteristics of a sniper allows for this early detection. The integration of BOSS with acoustic sniper detection systems are being explored.
With the advancements in laser diode technology over the past three years laser systems are becoming smaller, more efficient, dependable, and inexpensive. They have proven field utility as illuminators, designators, rangefinders, and communicators. With the shifting roles of the military, new applications of lasers are being realized. Lasers are being used as non-lethal force multipliers in operations such as UNITED SHIELD. Future implementations of lasers in non-lethal roles may be seen in Bosnia.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.