Evaluation of hybrid lidar-rader for ocean exploration

Past laboratory experiments established the ability of the hybrid lidar-radar system to improve underwater target contrast. Due to the limitations of the laboratory environment in assessing the performance of the hybrid detection scheme, a system was designed and constructed for use in an ocean experiment which was carried out in December, 1995. Results from the field test confirm the capability of hybrid lidar-radar to reduce backscatter clutter and enhance underwater target contrast. In addition, the existence of microwave subcarrier interference effects confirmed that the microwave signal integrity was maintained throughout the range of measurements.