A light detection and ranging transmitter with optical power monitoring, the transmitter comprising: a) a laser array (102; 302; 402; 506) positioned in a first plane (204; 306), the laser array (102; 302; 402; 506) being configured to generate a plurality of optical beams that propagate along an optical path in response to an electrical signal provided at an input; b) a first projecting optical element (112; 308; 404) positioned in the optical path that is configured to project the plurality of optical beams such that the plurality of optical beams at least partially overlaps at a common point; c) a second projecting optical element (114; 406) positioned in the optical path of the plurality of optical beams after the first projecting optical element (112; 308; 404), and configured to project light from the first projecting optical element (112; 308; 404) in a direction of transmission; d) a directing optical element (110; 310; 410) positioned at the common point in the optical path of the plurality of beams, the directing optical element (110; 310; 410) being configured to produce an illumination region (256; 352; 452) comprising at least some light from each of the plurality of beams in a second plane (204; 306); e) a monitor (106; 304; 408; 512) positioned within the illumination region (256; 352; 452) in the second plane (204; 306) that is configured to collect at least some light from each of the plurality of beams, the monitor (106; 304; 408; 512) comprising a photodiode that is configured to generate a detected signal at an output in response to the collected light; and f) a controller with an input connected to an output of the monitor (106; 304; 408; 512) and an output connected to the input of the laser array (102; 302; 402; 506), the controller being configured to generate the electrical signal in response to the detected signal that controls the laser to achieve a desired operation of the light detection and ranging system transmitter. a) a laser array (102; 302; 402; 506) positioned in a first plane (204; 306), the laser array (102; 302; 402; 506) being configured to generate a plurality of optical beams that propagate along an optical path in response to an electrical signal provided at an input; b) a first projecting optical element (112; 308; 404) positioned in the optical path that is configured to project the plurality of optical beams such that the plurality of optical beams at least partially overlaps at a common point; c) a second projecting optical element (114; 406) positioned in the optical path of the plurality of optical beams after the first projecting optical element (112; 308; 404), and configured to project light from the first projecting optical element (112; 308; 404) in a direction of transmission; d) a directing optical element (110; 310; 410) positioned at the common point in the optical path of the plurality of beams, the directing optical element (110; 310; 410) being configured to produce an illumination region (256; 352; 452) comprising at least some light from each of the plurality of beams in a second plane (204; 306); e) a monitor (106; 304; 408; 512) positioned within the illumination region (256; 352; 452) in the second plane (204; 306) that is configured to collect at least some light from each of the plurality of beams, the monitor (106; 304; 408; 512) comprising a photodiode that is configured to generate a detected signal at an output in response to the collected light; and f) a controller with an input connected to an output of the monitor (106; 304; 408; 512) and an output connected to the input of the laser array (102; 302; 402; 506), the controller being configured to generate the electrical signal in response to the detected signal that controls the laser to achieve a desired operation of the light detection and ranging system transmitter.