A blade tracking system for a rotorcraft , the system comprising: a laser light source configured to be mounted on the rotorcraft and configured to generate a projected beam of light sufficient to impinge on a target on a blade of the rotorcraft, the target separated by a predetermined distance from the light source; an optical assembly configured to cooperate with the light source to (i) direct the projected beam of light toward the target, and (ii) produce the projected beam of light, such that the projected beam of light has predetermined spectral characteristics along a predetermined range of distances from the optical assembly, the predetermined distance being within the predetermined range of distances, and the predetermined characteristics comprising (a) predetermined wavelength, (b) predetermined spatial extent, (c) predetermined aperture, and (d) predetermined divergence; and a detector coupled to the light source and the optical assembly and configured to distinguish a reflected beam of light associated with the projected beam of light , from among other wavelengths of light; and a processor coupled to the source of light and the detector , the processor configured to process data received from the source of laser light and data received from the detector , including relational information between the projected beam of light and the reflected beam of light , generate and receive system commands for the rotorcraft in response to at least the relational information, and control the laser light source. a laser light source configured to be mounted on the rotorcraft and configured to generate a projected beam of light sufficient to impinge on a target on a blade of the rotorcraft, the target separated by a predetermined distance from the light source; an optical assembly configured to cooperate with the light source to (i) direct the projected beam of light toward the target, and (ii) produce the projected beam of light, such that the projected beam of light has predetermined spectral characteristics along a predetermined range of distances from the optical assembly, the predetermined distance being within the predetermined range of distances, and the predetermined characteristics comprising (a) predetermined wavelength, (b) predetermined spatial extent, (c) predetermined aperture, and (d) predetermined divergence; and (i) direct the projected beam of light toward the target, and (ii) produce the projected beam of light, such that the projected beam of light has predetermined spectral characteristics along a predetermined range of distances from the optical assembly, the predetermined distance being within the predetermined range of distances, and the predetermined characteristics comprising (a) predetermined wavelength, (b) predetermined spatial extent, (c) predetermined aperture, and (d) predetermined divergence; and a detector coupled to the light source and the optical assembly and configured to distinguish a reflected beam of light associated with the projected beam of light , from among other wavelengths of light; and a processor coupled to the source of light and the detector , the processor configured to process data received from the source of laser light and data received from the detector , including relational information between the projected beam of light and the reflected beam of light , generate and receive system commands for the rotorcraft in response to at least the relational information, and control the laser light source. <EOS>