A Monte Carlo approach to evaluate stray laser energy from the F-35 Lightning II

Gjermund Kjerkreit; Espen Lippert

doi:10.1117/12.2556362

23 April 2020 A Monte Carlo approach to evaluate stray laser energy from the F-35 Lightning II

Gjermund Kjerkreit, Espen Lippert

Proceedings Volume 11410, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XXV; 1141005 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2556362
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2020, Online Only

Abstract

The F-35 Lightning II has a powerful combat laser designator operating at a wavelength and energy levels that are damaging to the human eye at a pulse level. Due to the faceted design of the Electro Optical Targeting System housing, unwanted Stray Laser Energy beams are emitted in uncontrolled directions. These beams are powerful enough to damage the human eye. Care must therefore be taken to ensure that observers on the ground are not unintentionally blinded. Using a general procedure where the hazard distance is determined by the length of the strongest Stray Laser Energy beam in any direction impedes the ability of the Royal Norwegian Air Force to train in Norway due to the size of the firing ranges and the limits to the maneuvering envelope. We have developed a Monte Carlo based model to determine the hazard "footprint" on the ground for typical flight patterns. The model incorporates several stochastic variables to catch the variations of an execution. The model also incorporates terrain data to evaluate if a beam will hit the actual terrain around a specified target. By running enough instances of the model, it is possible to generate an estimate for the probability of being hit by a beam for ground observers. Analysis has been performed for the unaided eye, binoculars of size 7x50mm and binoculars of size 20x120mm. By evaluating the risk level in accordance with guidelines provided by the The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, we have expanded the possibility for training using the combat laser in Norway.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Gjermund Kjerkreit and Espen Lippert "A Monte Carlo approach to evaluate stray laser energy from the F-35 Lightning II", Proc. SPIE 11410, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XXV, 1141005 (23 April 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2556362

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

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.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available