An Atmospheric Decision Aid for Directed Energy Applications

1
An Atmospheric Decision Aid for Directed Energy
Applications

• Robert P. dEntremont and Gary B.
  GustafsonSatellite Meteorology Group
  Atmospheric and Environmental Research,
  Inc.Lexington, MA 02421-3126
• LTC Jeffrey D. CetolaMissile Defense
  AgencyKirtland AFB, NM
• James T. BuntingAir Force Research
  LaboratoryHanscom AFB, MA

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ADA - Objective

• Characterize cloud impacts on Directed Energy
  Weapons
• Emphasis on high-altitude clouds
• Features

• Real-time cloud detection over theater-scale
  domains
• Accurate cloud top/base height estimates
• Simultaneous retrieval of bulk optical/microphysic
  al properties (e.g., emissivity, optical depth,
  effective particle size)
• Retrieve vertical distribution of key properties

• Compute laser transmission along
  three-dimensional paths through the atmosphere.
• Provide results in easy to interpret graphical
  form
• Combine with independent optical turbulence
  models
• Package as an interactive system on a portable
  laptop system
• Suitable for remote deployment

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ADA Overview
GOES ground station
Remote Data Analysis Center
Time
Interactive analysis/display
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Satellite Data Requirements

• Current support for geostationary satellites
• Sensor data VIS 0.6 µm, MWIR 3.9 µm, WV 6.7 µm,
  TIR 10.7 and 12 / 13.3 µm

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Satellite Sensor Data
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Cloud Detection and Phase Discrimination
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Bulk Cloud Properties
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Compare GOES Retrievals with Radar
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IWC Compared to Radar Returns
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Compute Transmission Along 3D Path

• Define a region where target is expected to
  appear
• Integrate transmission over conic surface
  covering estimated target location(s)
• Optionally vary elevation angle to target
• Display integrated transmission/optical depth at
  each point along set of possible paths to target

Source
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Compute Transmission Along 3D Path
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Integrated Path Transmittance
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Current ADA Status

• Cloud detection and retrieval software
  continuously operating on live data from GOES-10
  and 12
• 15-minute updates processed at AER
• super rapid-scan data processed when available
• Available on AER web site (www.aer.com/cloud)
• ADA laptop in beta test
• Additional capabilities/features being developed
• Introduce short-term advection forecast
  capability
• Particle size retrievals independent of
  temperature
• Deterministic cloud thickness (supporting RAOB
  data)
• Expand comparison studies using DOE/ARM data
• Modify algorithms to operate on polar-orbiting
  satellite data
• Integrate turbulence metrics with cloud path
  transmission