Atmospheric characterization issues for high-energy laser propagation through the atmosphere

Sensitivity analyses for high-energy laser atmospheric propagation have been performed on the basis of a four-dimensional wave optics propagation code which defines the requirements for atmospheric dynamics measurements. Initial estimates are presented for range, spatial and temporal resolutions, and accuracy. It is noted that these analyses have considered parameter fluctuations as uniform throughout the atmosphere; the determination of frequency requirements in different regimes of the atmosphere entails a more sophisticated analysis encompassing height-dependent fluctuations.