An apparatus includes at least one processor configured to determine a wavefront phase profile of return illumination reflected from a remote object, where the wavefront phase profile is based on interference between Doppler-shifted local oscillator (LO) illumination and the return illumination. The at least one processor is also configured to calculate a wavefront error based on a comparison between (i) the determined wavefront phase profile of the return illumination and (ii) a desired wavefront phase profile of a high energy laser (HEL) beam. The at least one processor is further configured to control a deformable mirror to at least partially compensate the HEL beam for the calculated wavefront error.