A 3D ultraviolet (UV) imaging LADAR system includes a UV source configured to generate a UV interrogation beam, a sensor configured to receive a UV return beam reflected from a target and to produce an electrical signal, and an imaging module coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the electrical signal and to generate a corresponding 3D image of the target. In one example, the sensor includes a down-shifting device configured to down-shift the UV return beam to a down-shifted light beam of a different wavelength, for example, in the visible or SWIR wavelength ranges.