Laser rangefinding techniques for helicopter fire control applications. Phase 1: Hardmounted laser concept

The concept of hardmounting a laser rangefinder to a helicopter airframe and having the pilot obtain the range to target by pointing the aircraft, was evaluated. The overall results indicate that this technique produced range errors of approximately 10% over all altitudes (300 ft. to 2500 ft.). The evaluation showed the range error to increase significantly as operational altitude decreased. This was due to small angular pointing errors translating into large horizontal miss distances when small grazing angles are incurred. Range errors of 20-25% were projected at 50-100 ft. altitudes. It was also determined that last pulse return logic produced smaller range errors than first pulse return logic.