EDA study confirms laser technology benefits

A study commissioned by the European Defence Agency (EDA) has confirmed the benefits of using laser-based technologies for the detection and identification of underwater targets, EDA announced on 20 July.

The study was conducted by a consortium consisting of the Swedish Defence research Agency and the French-German Research Institute of Saint-Louis.

The study highlighted the use of laser systems – both Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR)-based, and Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR)-based – and found that their integration into existing detection and identification technologies for underwater targets in difficult operating conditions can have a significant and positive impact on performance, particularly for rapid detection and identification.

Laser systems can deliver operational improvements compared to sonar systems; for example airborne laser scanning can be deployed extremely quickly in order to detect, locate and track underwater or floating objects. It is also possible for airborne laser scanning to identify the types of targets, provided that the target is large enough.

Once a target is detected it is then possible to quickly deploy a surface or underwater vessel equipped with a Laser Gated Viewing or Underwater Laser Scanning system to positively identify confirm the target information.

According to the EDA, the study concluded that laser-based technologies are a viable and complementary solution for acoustic sensor systems, even in turbid waters or in waters with high organic content, such as shallow regions or archipelagos found in the Baltic Sea.