Comparison of Climatological Optical Turbulence Profiles to Standard Statistical and Numerical Models Using Heleeos

<p>Optical turbulence within earth's atmosphere plays a significant role in electromagnetic radiation propagation from a high energy laser. The index of refraction structure constant Cn2 characterizes turbulent spatial fluctuations due to temperature gradients. These changes in the index of refraction affect the intensity of the laser wave front on its intended target. It is important to characterize this parameter throughout the atmosphere the boundary layer and above for its applications regarding the Airborne Laser (ABL) and the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL). There are several ways to obtain values of optical turbulence including standard and statistical models physically-based numerical models and climatological compilations of observed values. The purpose of this paper is to quantifiably compare standard statistical and numerical models of Cn2 to climatological values using the High Energy Laser End-to-End Operational Simulation (HELEEOS) to determine whether or not each model will yield values similar to that of actual measured optical turbulence data. The study shows that HELEEOS is a powerful tool in atmospheric optical turbulence prediction not only because it has the capability to use standard optical turbulence profiles like Hufnagel-Valley 5/7 (HV 5/7) but it can also incorporate correlated climatologically-derived turbulence profiles--a technique specifically developed for HELEEOS. The comparative analysis in this research appears to validate the HELEEOS method for correlating climatological Cn2 to other meteorological parameters. Worldwide dwell time estimates vary more than 4 s for tactical low altitude oblique scenarios using this new technique compared to HV 5/7.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>