Military Laser Rangefinders

Laser rangefinders (LRFs) calculate distances to targets or objects of interest and are used by armed forces for a variety of applications.

Common LRF Technologies

The two most common technologies utilized in military laser rangefinders are time-of-flight, where the time taken for a laser pulse to be reflected by the target and received again at source is measured, and phase shift measurement which uses reflected pulses at multiple frequencies.

Laser pulses may often be coded to reduce the effects of jamming, which can occur when another source of laser light is shone onto the rangefinder’s detector.

Military Laser Rangefinders

Military laser range finders may be handheld (typically in binocular form), or mounted on tripods, helmets, firearms or directly onto vehicles. They are commonly used to enhance the targeting accuracy of infantry weapons as well as bombs, missiles, and artillery and armoured vehicle weapons. Military-grade laser rangefinders will typically need a rugged design that can survive in extremely harsh environments such as deserts, jungles and mountainous regions.

Military LRF Applications

Laser rangefinders are used by infantry, special forces, aircraft and vehicles to undertake reconnaissance and target finding and to improve situational awareness. They may have both daytime and night vision modes and may also include thermal imaging capabilities. Some systems incorporate a magnetic compass and inclinometer, providing azimuth and elevation readings in addition to distance.

Laser Range Finding for Drones & Robotics

Laser rangefinders are also used for a variety of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) applications. They are often incorporated into drone camera gimbals for targeting and ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), and some can be integrated with GNSS/GPS and GIS data capture for precision mapping. They can also be used as UAV flight and navigation aids, providing altitude measurement for precision takeoff and landing, terrain-following and distance-keeping.