Instrumentation and capability status of the Dugway Proving Ground referee Lidar systems

Abstract

Dugway Proving Ground (DPG) is a U.S. Army test facility that conducts open-air field testing of systems used in defense against chemical and biological threats. The proving ground is geographically remote, covers 3,200 km2 , and thus allow for large or energetic test events. The various test ranges are populated with a combination of standoff and point sensors that are used to benchmark the systems under test. Elastic-backscatter lidar systems are the primary active standoff referee system for aerosol releases. They provide detection, quantification, and location of aerosol plumes across the test grids. The majority of the lidar systems operate in the near infra-red at 1 or 1.5 μm with nominal ocular hazard distances (NOHD) that vary between 0 and 5.5 km. Lidar calibrations are conducted using the Active Standoff Chamber (ASC) and Joint Ambient Breeze Tunnel (JABT) test fixtures. The ASC is a large chamber with 3m apertures on both ends to allow standoff measurements coincident with point measurements collected inside. It confines the aerosol release via air curtains and is capable of maintaining a consistent aerosol concentration. The JABT is an openended tunnel with exhaust fans to draw released aerosols down its > 100 m length and allows the plume to actively develop in a manner similar to a field release. This mix of point sensors, lidars, and calibration and test facilities allow DPG to provide calibrated referee data for a variety of aerosol release test events.