Optimally Packaged Assembly for Laser Systems (OPALS)

During pre-release, until the topic opens on Oct 28, 2026, you may contact the topic author directly with technical questions. After that, questions go through the Topic Q&A on DSIP.

High-energy lasers integrated onto airborne platforms hold immense potential for a variety of applications, relevant to DAF missions. However, the demanding operational environments encountered by airborne systems, characterized by factors like vibration, shock, temperature fluctuations, and pressure variations, pose significant challenges to the performance and reliability of traditional optical systems. To achieve demanding pointing and line of sight stabilization requirements necessary for the laser to have the desired effect on target, a precision optical beam control system is required to sense and correct platform induced disturbances, acquire and track targets, and sense and compensate for atmospheric and aero-optical disturbances. Historically these optical systems are implemented on flat optical benches or breadboards, in a similar manner to a ground-based laboratory. To fully realize the potential of airborne laser systems, there is a critical need for innovative optical systems designed specifically for ruggedness and environmental stability. This research effort aims to develop and demonstrate a ruggedized, environmentally stable, and optimally packaged optical beam control system specifically tailored for airborne high-energy laser applications, in a more optimized form factor for an airborne system than a conventional flat optical bench or breadboard.

The full objective, description, Phase I, II and III requirements and evaluation criteria are in the official topic on DSIP.