Additive Manufacturing of Lightweight Laser Target Designator

The application of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) has become a key capability in today’s operational environment, both at the national level and abroad. Small- and mini-class UAS are compact, agile and easy to deploy platforms that have been deployed in a wide range of scenarios, consistently contributing to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, and considerably reducing the threat to human life in high-risk operations. The most critical factor that limits their application is determined by its payload carrying capacity. Small class UAS can transport only a few kilos, which makes them unfit for the heavy electro-optic systems necessary for target designation missions. Recent developments in material science, additive manufacturing and laser technology have created the necessary conditions for the development of a new generation of laser target designator systems (LTD).

Goal
The project proposes the development of a miniature LTD optimised for integration into a mini-UAV unit. State-of-the-art diodepumped solid-state laser technology and athermal optical design will be used to obtain a low SWaP-C system with optical output fully compliant with NATO STANAG 3733, enabling accurate long-range designation and targeting. Further reduction of the LTD’s size and weight will be achieved by innovative mechanical design of the laser household and its optical system supports. These complex and lightweight structures will be manufactured by selective laser melting of lightweight metal alloys. These downsized LTD devices would comply with the stringent payload size requirements of small class UAV without any decrease in their performance. This would allow small- and mini-class UAS to be able to perform target designation activities and extend their range of effectiveness.

Lead Partner
AKTYVUS PHOTONICS UAB

Partners involved
GLOBAL DESIGN TECHNOLOGY, VALSTYBINIS MOKSLINIU TYRIMU INSTITUTAS FIZINIU IR TECHNOLOGIJOS MOKSLU CENTRAS, OPEN ENGINEERING SA, ALTUS LSA COMMERCIAL AND MANUFACTURING SA

Duration
01 December 2022 – 31 January 2026

Funding
€ 2,868,733.37 (European Defence Fund)

More information
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/projects-details/44181033/101102480/EDF
https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2023-01/Factsheet_EDF21_AMLTD.pdf