A system comprises an optical air data system that measures aerosol and molecular scattering of light, and an optical instrument that measures aerosol and/or molecular scattering of light. A processor receives data from the air data system and from the optical instrument. The processor performs one or more signal analysis and data fusion methods comprising: (a) determining aerosol and/or molecular concentration from the received data, modifying a data analysis algorithm to optimize any remaining unknown parameters, and outputting enhanced air data parameters; (b) determining aerosol concentration from the received data, dynamically optimizing hardware settings in the air data system to enhance a signal level and avoid system saturation, and outputting enhanced air data parameters; or (c) determining aerosol and/or molecular concentration from the received data, estimating a confidence level of an air data algorithm, verifying optical health of the air data system, and reporting the optical health to a user.