Synthetic Aperture Ladar for Tactical Imaging (SALTI)

Program Manager: Dr. Jennifer Ricklin

The Synthetic Aperture Ladar for Tactical Imaging (SALTI) initiative will develop and demonstrate an airborne interferometric synthetic advanced laser radar (Ladar) imager capable of producing high-resolution three-dimensional imagery at long ranges. The ultimate SALTI system will combine the long-range day/night access afforded by conventional synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with the interpretability of high-resolution optical imagery and the exploitability of three-dimensional (3-D) imagery and fit within a tactical-sized package suitable for deployment on a long-range unmanned air vehicle such as the Global Hawk. The technical objective of the SALTI program is to provide a proof-of-concept for operation at tactically relevant high altitudes and at long ground ranges.