<title>A Tactical Laser Beam Recorder For Near Real Time High Resolution Image Generation</title>

Abstract

The highly mobile nature of today's and tomorrow's warfare requires that the photo interpreter receive image reconnaissance information in seconds, not hours.The emerging electronic sensors provide video signals reporting images of the target area, which can be data linked.However, to maintain the high resolution a fast hard copy image generator is required to very rapidly present the photo -image to the photo interpreter for evaluation of target information. The Tactical Laser Beam Recorder (TLBR) described herein meets this need using dry silver film and innovative data processing /electro -optic techniques.The dry silver film requires only heat processing, with no chemical or other support logistics. With the newly developed film processor used in this equipment, delays in getting the image are only 30 seconds at nominal V /H. The TLBR allows for variable speed operation and automatically scales with V/H received from the aircraft.The design is rugged to allow for van operations and transportability. It is free from constant tuning and alignment, operable by a photo interpreter with cassette loading for complete daylight operation. This paper will describe the operational reconnaissance system scenario and the Tactical Laser Beam Recorder's application to it. The equipment's performance will be described as well as its operating parameters. The general configuration, its relationship to the photo interpreter's location, and the image configuration with associated data will be described. Second generation samples of the dry silver film performance will be shown.