Airborne LiDAR

Airborne LiDAR

The airborne Ultra Violet LiDAR System performs high-altitude atmospheric measurements along an aircraft's flight path. Featuring a WMD-designed and manufactured 14-inch (35.6cm) telescope, a laser transmitter, and a WMD-designed receiver. The transmitter is composed of a customer provided laser, an actuated steering mirror, several custom optic mounts and beam expander all housed in a lightweight enclosure.

The system is mounted on six legs that use wire rope isolators with features for adjusting the leg positions. The adjustable legs ensured the system mounted to the aircraft mounting surfaces without the need for match drilling.

Maintaining stiffness while reducing weight is always a challenge when designing optical systems for airborne use. WMD designed a two piece breadboard that reduces weight and deflection to keep the optics aligned under aircraft conditions.