System Design And Performance Factors For Airborne Laser Hydrography

Methods are being sought to improve the efficiency of shallow-water hydrography. Reductions in cost, manpower, and data collection time are desired. Studies have indicated that airborne laser hydrography has the potential to provide five-fold reductions in cost and manpower requirements over conventional launch-based sonar systems, while at the same time increasing productivity and adding rapid response reconaissance capability. Analyses have shown that typical penetration depths are adequate in many coastal waters where extensive survey requirements now exist. The critical performance factor is depth measurement accuracy. Airborne laser hydrography is prone to a number of depth measurement error sources whose net magnitude could exceed standards if not carefully constrained by restricting system design and operational parameters. The interrelationships and compromises among these parameters necessary to meet operational requirements and goals are discussed in detail.