High Precision Laser Designator (HPLD)

The High Precision Long Range Laser Designator/Locator (HPLD) initiative seeks to develop an affordable laser target designator/locator package that allows the user to observe, track, and designate a target at operationally significant ranges. The focus of this effort is to develop new target-in-the-loop active optics approaches and novel high accuracy pointing methods to enable a single operator to precisely determine the GPS coordinates of a target over 5 kilometers away. Once precisely determined, the operator will be able to observe, track, and laser designate the target as required, using a single device. This device will be used by ground combat elements and small unmanned aerial vehicles that conduct terminal attack control and call for fire and will be designed to support their full range of deployment methods. It will also survive in a harsh environment for long periods of time with minimal maintenance.