Pulsed coherent solid-state 2 micron laser radar systems have been developed at Coherent Technologies. Inc. for ground- and airborne-based applications Ground-based measurements of wind profiles and aerosol backscatter have been performed for several years. Examples of wind and aerosol backscatter coefficient measurements will be presented which cover a variety of weather conditions. Airborne measurements of wind profiles below the aircraft have been performed h> Wright Laboratories, operating in a VAD measurement mode and will be reviewed. An engineered flight-worthy coherent lidar system is under development at CTI for flight on the SR-71 aircraft, in support of the High Speed Civil Transport program. Flights will be conducted by NASA-Dryden Flight Research Center at altitudes above 60.000 feet for the measurement of atmospheric turbulence ahead of the aircraft. Efforts are also underway at CTI for the development of high power coherent laser radar systems. Extensive detailed physical optics models of diode-pumped solid-state hi set performance have been developed to characterize transient thermo-optic aberrations and the overall efficiency ol laser intended for space-based applications. We are currently developing a 2 micron 0.5 J/pulse transmitter with a 10 H/ PRt and a pulse duration of 400-500 ns. The status and expected space-based wind measuring performance for this system will be presented.
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