Testing the helicopter obstacle avoidance system

This paper summarizes test results of the Helicopter Laser Radar (HLR) System which has been developed at Fibertek, Inc. The HLR program is under the direction of the U.S. Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate, Air Systems Division, as part of the Army Helicopter Obstacle Avoidance System (OASYS) program. The HLR system is a direct detection laser radar system using a diode-pumped solid-state laser operating at 1.54 micrometer. A diode-pumped system offers small size, robust range performance, small output aperture, and a short pulse length for high range resolution. The output wavelength was chosen for extended eyesafety limits and covertness.