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DIRECTED ENERGY PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY

Abstract: 25-Symp-191

UNCLASSIFIED, PUBLIC RELEASE

Near Surface Optical Turbulence and Extinction Measurements over the Littoral Region

Turbulent mixing and aerosol/dust generation and transport directly effects eletro-optical (EO) signal propagation via optical scintillation and extinction. Optical scintillation is quantified by the structure function parameter of the index of refraction while aerosol extinction can be quantified through the absorption and scattering coefficients. Furthermore, the EO propagation is further complicated by the spatial heterogeneities and aerosol generation from wave-breaking in the littoral region. It is critical to quantify and predict the turbulence and aerosol fields in the low levels for directed energy weapon applications, and broadly speaking, the electromagnetic maneuver warfare (EMW) in the battlespace.
In this presentation, we will present results from a recent field experiment supporting SPEIR/HELIOS Improvements Merging Environmental Response (SHIMMER) project sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and in conjunction with a project sponsored by the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. The recent measurement campaign was conducted in the Monterey Bay, CA from Nov-Dec 2024 measuring electro-optical propagation properties from both ground- and aerial-based platforms. The NPS CIRPAS Twin Otter flew with EO/IR imagers, SWIR beacon transmitter, and aerosol and turbulence sensors using several flight patterns to fully characterize the low level turbulence and aerosols. Concurrently, a surface site in Moss Landing, CA, tracked the Twin Otter with a similar EO/IR imager and sampled the IR beacon to directly measure the path-integrated optical extinction and turbulence. Tower-based instrumentation measured the turbulence, scalar perturbations, and aerosol fields with nodal sensors, such as sonic anemometers, gas analyzer, and present weather sensors. In this presentation, we will correlate the EO/IR imagery and path-integrated measurements with in-situ atmospheric turbulence and aerosol measurements. We will also examine the spatial heterogeneity that the littoral zone presents.

UNCLASSIFIED, PUBLIC RELEASE