Laser Materials for Blue Systems Survivability (LaMBSS)

The objective of this effort is to conduct research on the effect of and interactions produced by lasers on materials, components, and systems in configurations of interest to the Air Force and DoD. Materials of interest may include existing or newly developed materials, materials for structures, integrated optical and detector materials, and materials and component configurations for sensing or imaging applications. Interrogation, Characterization, and Survivability Assessment of Air Force Personnel, Air, and Space Materials, Components, and Systems to Laser Sources Perform Materials Response Experiments on Candidate Materials in Realistic, Representative Environments Test Planning Utilizing Design of Experiments (DOE) Methodologies Modeling and Simulation of Material Response to Laser Interaction Devise, Build, and Qualify Test Infrastructure Interface with Integrated Laser Threat Warning Systems Remote Testing Develop and Maintain Knowledge Base The Functional Materials Division's Photonics Materials Branch (AFRL/RXAP) has a long term involvement in the development of advanced laser hardened materials and techniques. The materials, components, and systems to be protected range in a wide variety of performance parameters, configurations and materials, and are designed for many different applications. The interaction of materials with external sources such as lasers and with the environments in which they will reside or operate is integral to the development of protection technologies appropriate for these applications. This program will continue many of the technical efforts that have been performed historically at RXAP's Laser Hardened Materials Evaluation Laboratory (LHMEL) and expand to include additional research capabilities supporting program areas that have recently been added to AFRL/RXAP's technical mission portfolio.