Abstract: A water dispersible low-reflectance coating composition which is a CARC cosition and results in a coating that is flexible at ambient and sub-zero temperatures. The composition is a three component system, where the first component includes: hydroxyl-functional polyurethane, pigments, polymeric beads, emulsion of hydrophobic solids, micro-milled calcium carbonate, anti-settling agent, dispersing agent, water solvent, and non-ionic emulsion. The second component includes polyisocyanate and a solvent, while the third component is water solvent.

Abstract: An optical system is provided for a FLIR mounted in a cylindrical turret ch has five folding mirrors, two doubling as scanning mirrors, numerous lenses with aspherical surfaces and different refractive indices, and a rotatable head mirror. Some of the lenses and mirrors being mounted on remote controlled electrically powered focusing or scanning means.

Abstract: An optical scheme and system involving a probe laser with simple analog pessing to detect an optical echo. This allows verification that a transmitter has hit a target receiver or will allow synchronized firing with another laser transmitter.

Abstract: A head-mounted vision enhancement system which provides crash survivabili weight, and center of gravity superior to the currently fielded image intensifier goggle arrangements. This is accomplished by positioning the goggle objective lens assembly and intensifier tube closer in around the head and then using an eyepiece to bring the image back around into the eye. Hypersteropsis is thus avoided by folding the intensifier objective lenses from the center of the forehead.

Abstract: A system and technique to incorporate threat detectors within the FLIR's ical train and use the radiation reflected off of insertable protective filters, or a coated clear window, to determine if the threat is still present. If there has been some change in laser threat status then there is allowed the removal or insertion of the protective filter.

Abstract: An automated test system and method for infrared focal plane detector arr which utilize X-Y positioning of a focused laser spot scanning individual detector array elements Detector element outputs are processed for the entire focal plane array resulting in crosstalk measurement.

Abstract: A day-night rifle sight, using separate parallel day and night sights comed by means of a beam splitter; is improved by: integrating the housings of the night sight and beam splitter, reducing the outer dimensions, sealing and strengthening the coupling between the from ends of the sights; adding a quick release clamp to the rear ends; reducing the image size of the night sight with a fiber optic taper to match the daysight image and reticule; reducing the size of image forming optics and thereby reducing the inner dimensions of the coupling.

Abstract: A safety system and technique for multi-aperture optical systems such as TOW missile system that protects against the inadvertent activation of system function and warning the user that the system function is not ready for activation. The electrical trigger for the TOW missile system sends a signal to the firing circuits to launch a TOW missile. A micro-switch is mounted on the barrel of the near infrared (IR) tracker optical system fore optics, activated by the presence of a lens cap. A light group including a green and red light is included in the visible optical system of the TOW missile system. If the lens cap is off, then a green light is visible and firing circuits may be activated by a trigger. If the lens cap was inadvertently left on near IR tracking fore optics then a red light is visible and no voltage flows to the firing circuit when the trigger is depressed.

Abstract: A technique for forming from staring precursors at the molecular level, a sultant thermoelectric material with a reduced thermal conductivity. All staring precursors are dissolved in solution, reduced to remove oxygen, and then combined into a single solution to yield specific stoichiometric ratios. A sol and then a gel is formed, which supercritical solvent extraction is performed upon so as to yield a material having two level porosity and a maximum of a factor of three reduction in thermal conductivity.

Abstract: An observation technique for observing relativistic phenomena by time-like eparated viewing, so as to achieve the enhanced perception as a relativistic phenomena, and its simulation technique. The observation technique includes placing two or more observation devices at time-like separated positions, obtaining data from each device, and viewing the data in stereo such that there is displayed the relativistic phenomena by time-like separated viewing. The simulation technique includes viewing a non-relativistic phenomena with at least one viewing device, obtaining a data vector stream at a set rate, dividing each data vector into slices, and generating two separate data vector streams for stereo viewing utilizing sequential slices of each data vector steam such that there is displayed a simulation of relativistic phenomena for time-like separated viewing.

Abstract: An improved modular FLIR system is provided that fits in the same space elopes that were provided for the Army's GEN I FLIR's. The resolution is more than doubled by using a narrow two dimensional array of Hg-Cd-Te detectors with pn junctions as a time-delay-integration line sensor, improved optics and analog-digital conversion with image enhancement.

Abstract: An objective lens assembly provides up to 60 degrees field of view for the NVIS image intensifier goggle. A first lens subassembly positioned on the focal axis faces a external view and substantially corrects pupil aberrations in an aperture stop located after the first subassembly. A second lens subassembly is then located after the aperature stop on the focal axis. Color and field aberration corrections is provided while maintaining substantially high quality focus by a third lens subassembly. A lens element after the third lens subassembly on the focal axis flattens the image plane over the intensifier image format such that there results a format of up to 25 mm with a photocathode resolution for up to a 60 degree field of view.

Abstract: A solid-state laser slab amplifier arrangement for the output of a laser m at optimal working conditions. Pump energy is applied to a solid state lasing material so as to irradiate the solid-state lasing material and effect a laser beam with resultant waste heat output. At least one micro-heatpipe bundle which includes multiple micro-heatpipes allows waste heat to be transported away by the working medium through an approximate center of an individual micro-heatpipe from the solid-state lasing material. After condensation, liquid working medium is returned substantially by capillary action through approximate off-center areas of the individual micro-heatpipe.

Abstract: The heterodyne detection efficiency of coherent laser radars is maximized coaxially aligning the local oscillator (LO) beam and the received laser beam when combined at the detector by preventing interference between the counterpropagating waves in the lasing rod within the lasing cavity by using optic polarization, magneto-optic polarization, and cavity end partial reflectors.

Abstract: A passive broadband sensor protection and enhancement system and technique. ncident light is focused with a cylindrical lens on the optical axis into an intense light strip onto the input face of a photorefractive crystal which may include optional anti-reflection coatings on the input and output face. A broadband high reflection coating proximate to the input face reflects all radiation from approximately 0.68 out to at least 1.5 micrometers wavelength and light exiting includes a transmitted beam and beam fan. A weak holographic grating is used to seed the beam fan, such that is fanned out of the optical path in a direction determined by the c-axis, dominant electro-optic coefficient, and charge carriers participating in the photorefractive process. The transmitted beam contains only incoherent radiation as input to a sensitive detector resulting in broadband multiline protection from the visible spectrum for substantially all pulsewidths and cw lasers, with enhanced time response and interaction length.

Abstract: A target simulator device for the simulation of infrared targets as input to entrance optics. A voice coil of an audio loud speaker including a cone portion and two electrical input connections has a physical projection one end of which is coupled to the cone portion and the other end approximate to and in front of a shield aperture. A black body radiation source is placed behind the aperture and a frequency compensated amplifier electrically coupled to the input connections such that collimated signal-modulated black body energy that is proportional to the total range of frequencies input is observed by an infrared sensitive detector aligned with the radiation emanating from the aperture.

Abstract: A hybrid simulation system that provides realistic indoor starlight and mlight simulation. At least two light sources provides light where each is coupled to an aperture so that the light source is focused. At least one variable aperture control is provided for one of the apertures so that variability of that aperture area size can be performed. Fiber optic bundles coupled for each aperture which receives the focused light where each bundle contains at least one fiber optic which provides a light conduit. Each bundle is coupled to an overhead position so that there is directed in a substantially downward direction from the overhead position the bundle. The area is illuminated with a simulated constant starlight and a simulated moonlight that may be varied by varying aperture size.

Abstract: An optical holder for mounting and orienting a lens or lens subassembly by se of a removable retaining lens within a mount ring. Two adjustment set screws and a pressure pin mechanism hold the retaining lens. A constant pressure is applied against the set screws which is releasable. The retaining lens ring can then be removed and replaced without loss of alignment.

Abstract: Enclosure sign device for unavoidable viewing of a sign before manipulation f an entryway opening device. An enclosure of an entryway opening device includes at least one side surface extending out at least as far as the entryway opening device, a back surface coupled to the side surface to accommodate the entryway opening device through the back surface, and a front surface releasably coupled to the side surface which can be releasably opened or closed over the entryway opening device. The enclosure is coupled to a surrounding surface of the entryway opening device and includes a display for releasably holding a sign attached to the outside surface of the front surface so that sign viewable when the front surface is closed. Access is obtained to an entryway opening device by releasably opening the latching so that there is unavoidable viewing of a sign before manipulation of the entryway opening device.

Abstract: A passive broadband sensor protection and enhancement system and technique. ncident light is focused with a cylindrical lens on the optical axis into an intense light strip onto the input face of a photorefractive crystal on the optical axis. The crystal includes optional anti-reflection coatings proximate to the input and output face. A broadband high reflection coating is proximate to the input face for reflection of all radiation from approximately 0.68 to at least out to 1.5 micrometers wavelength. Light exiting from the output face of the crystal results from a photorefractive process that includes a transmitted beam and beam fan. The beam fan is fanned out of the optical path in a direction determined by the c-axis, dominant electro-optic coefficient, and charge carriers participating in the photorefractive process.