AFRL Supports Triservice Acquisition of TREM Capability

  • Published
  • By Christina Wooten, AFRL/RHOR
  • Human Effectiveness Directorate
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The triservice Directed Energy Test and Evaluation Capability (DETEC) program identified a dozen critical test and evaluation infrastructure needs for laser and radio frequency systems. Among the program's highest priorities was the procurement of a target reflected energy measurement (TREM) capability. Used for quantifying the amount of laser energy reflected and scattered during a high-energy laser (HEL) target engagement, TREM enables characterization of both radiometrics and collateral hazards. 

Throughout the 2-year acquisition program, AFRL scientists and engineers (S&E) supplied subject-matter expertise and documentation supporting the analysis of various alternatives; they also provided modeling data that ultimately led to a requirements definition for the TREM system. As part of their analysis focus, the S&Es identified AFRL's Laser Range Safety Tool (LRST)--an existing model used for HEL target radiometric predictions--as a possible means for achieving test planning and layout, and at significant cost savings. The AFRL team successfully met TREM test planning requirements through a subsequent 8-month technical effort geared towards modifying the LRST code for use in TREM acceptance tests. 

The decision to leverage AFRL's LRST saved the DETEC program nearly $2 million in software development costs. AFRL personnel continued to play a key role during full-scale TREM acceptance testing, conducted over a 2-week period. Specifically, the team provided critical assistance in the areas of test planning and safety support, beam delivery optics and diagnostics, and sensor setup and data download (including data downloaded from independent radiometric sensors, which underwent cross-check against TREM data for validation purposes). 

The AFRL team analyzed more than 900 sets of laser target reflection/scatter data collected during the 2-week field test. Test results indicated satisfactory system performance in the acquisition of reflection/scatter data under a variety of exposure conditions. The TREM capability now stands ready to support directed energy weapons testing for the Department of Defense, and test planning is under way to support high-profile efforts such as the Advanced Tactical Laser.